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Horticulture. 



in length, and plant them with their tops level with the surface of the ground, 

 taking care' thatlthe uppermost portion be that which was nearest the stem. The 

 more vigorous kinds will readily strike if healthy roots chopped up into short 

 pieces are laid on the surface of prepared ground, and covered lightly with soil. 



Conifers generally are especially difficult to raise from branch cuttings, 

 and this method is often resorted to for some of the kinds. 



PROPAGATION BY SUCKERS. 



Suckers are of two kinds— root-suckers and stem-suckers. A root-sucker 

 comes up from the buried portion of the plant as in the Plum, originating from 

 an adventitious bud which has formed on the roots owing to an exuberance of sap, 

 and is fed by the root from which it springs. When the weather is suitable the 

 suckers should be removed with all the roots belonging to them and planted out, 

 care being taken not to injure more than possible those of the parent plant. It 

 will thus.be seen that the mode is a very simple one. A drawback is that the 

 plants produced in this way tend to send up more suckers than if raised by other 

 means ; these should be checked immediately they are noticed, if no increase 

 is wanted. 



A stem sucker comes up from the base of the stem of a plant when the 

 collar is below the surface of the soil. It weakens the parent supporting it which 

 is often seen to become more and more stunted as the growth of the sucker proceeds. 

 On removal of the sucker it is generally found that the stem growth is great in 

 proportion to the number of roots attached, and should be cut down accordingly 

 and nursed in good soil for a year or so until the roots and top are reasonably in 

 proportion to each other, when it may be planted out in its intended situation- 

 New suckers will issue from the buds around the scar caused by its removal, and 

 where a number of plants are required may be encouraged by heaping up soil 

 around them. In cases where the plant is known to readily send up stem suckers 

 the stem may be cut right down. This will give an increased number of plants. 



There are three other most important modes, viz., Propagation by Grafting 

 Budding and Layering. An illustrated article on Grafting will be found in the 

 August number of this Magazine. 



Budding and Layering require to be dealt with in a similar manner to be 

 thoroughly understood, and so are omitted in this paper. 



Shade Trees. 



THEIR IMPORTANCE, INSTRUCTIONS FOR PLANTING THEM, &c. 



By H. F. Macmillan. 

 Shade trees in the Tropics are a boon to man and beast ; they afford cool 

 shelter from the fierce sun, beautify our surroundings and render them healthy ; 

 they form effectual wind-breaks, and enable us to grow beneath their shade various 

 crops which will not thrive under full exposure to the sun. 



2. Therefore it should be one of the first duties of every person who owns, 

 or is responsible for the upkeep of, roads to plant suitable shade trees along them. 

 Open bleak areas, or bare pasture land may be rendered congenial and productive 

 of tender herbage by the planting of shade trees. Remember that trees grow while 

 we sleep, and that in a few years they may practically convert a wilderness into 

 a paradise. 



