274} PLANTS PROPER FOR UNDERWOOD, 



ill length, and the extremities cut from its roots. 

 The more bushy the plants are, so much the better. 

 But perhaps the best way of propagating this shrub 

 in plantations, is to sow its seeds where wanted, in- 

 stead of using plants from the nursery. Having 

 collected a sufficient quantity of its heps, when 

 they are fully ripe about Christmas, lay them in a 

 heap, and cover them with earth till the end of 

 March, when they are to be taken up, and the seeds 

 cleared of the pulp. Sow them as follows : Make 

 round patches by paring off the surface as thinly as 

 possible, about a foot in diameter, throwing away 

 the sod. Turn over one stamp in the centre, and 

 drop in a few of the seeds, covering them about a 

 quarter of an inch deep. Proceed in this way till 

 as many are sown as is deemed necessary, and leave 

 them to take their chance. Though all the seeds 

 should grow, it is not necessary to thin the plants. 

 One or two in each patch will get the start of the 

 rest, and make room for themselves. By following 

 this plan, thousands of sweet-briar bushes may be 

 raised wherever they are wanted, at a very trifling 

 expense. Even the wild briars, as they bear roses 

 and berries, are not void of beauty, and may be 

 encouraged to grow among wood. To propagate 

 them, no more pains need be taken than to scat- 



