36 



LAYERACE. 



is formed for next year's growth. The parent cane is sev- 

 ered in the fall or spring, some 4 or 6 inches above the 

 ground, and an independent plant, known as a "root-tip," 



as shown in Fig. 28, is ob- 

 tained. In this instance, 

 as in most others, it is im- 

 material at what point the 

 parent stem is severed, ex- 

 cept that a short portion of 

 it serves as a handle in 

 carrying the plant, and also 

 marks the position of the 

 plant when it is set. The 

 black raspberry propagates 

 itself naturally by means of 

 these layers, and it is only necessary, in most cases, to bring 

 the soil into a mellow condition when the tips begin to touch 

 the ground, in order that they may find anchorage. This 

 layering by inserting the growing point has the advantage of 

 producing very strong " crowns " or plants in autumn from 

 shoots or canes of the same year, and it should be more 

 generally practiced. Even currants, gooseberries and many 

 other plants can be handled in this way. 



In most cases of layerage, it is necessary to bend down 

 the branches and to cover them. The covering may be 



28. Raspberry tip (.-i 1-5). 



^^Sa2«5,«acg^, 



^•v^r 



-'9- Covered layer of vtbmnum (x 1-6). 



continuous, as in Fig. 29, or it may be applied only to the 

 joints or restricted portions of the shoot, as illustrated in 

 Fig. 30. In either case the covering should be shallow, not 

 exceeding 2 to 5 inches. If the shoot is stiff, a stone or sod 



