164 ROOTS 
used in the propagation of some kinds of plants. For example, 
Sweet Potatoes, which rarely produce seed, are propagated by 
means of the shoots which develop from the fleshy roots. The roots 
are planted early in the spring in specially prepared beds, usually 
hot beds, where they develop buds which grow into stems bear- 
ing leaves and roots, as shown in Figure 144. These young plants 
(slips) are broken loose from the potato and planted in the field 
after all danger of frost is passed. The abundance of stored food 
enables each potato to produce many slips. 
Fic. 144.— Sprouting of the Sweet Potato. A, potato with sprouts in 
different stages of development. 8B, sprout, or slip, broken loose from the 
potato and ready to be set out. 
From the roots of the Red Raspberry! and some Blackberries, 
new stems called suckers grow up. These suckers with a small 
portion of the parent root are used in starting new plantations. 
The larger roots of the Raspberry and Blackberry are often dug 
up in the fall, cut into pieces, and stored until spring when they 
are planted in the field. From these root segments new plants 
are produced. Roses are often propagated by root cuttings. 
When plants can be propagated either by root cuttings or by 
seed, it is generally better to use cuttings, because plants obtained 
from cuttings usually grow faster and are more likely to be like the 
parent plant than they are when grown from seed. 
1 Raspberries. Farmers’ Bulletin 213, U.S. Dept. Agr. Culture of Small 
Fruits. Bulletin 105, Oregon Agr. Exp. Sta. Dewberry growing. Bulletin 
136, Colorado Agr. Exp. Sta. 
