pared, the more attentively, to watch the progress of 
the varieties which they are desirous of perpetuating. 
Most persons are anxious to plant portions of the 
old roots, in spring, under the impression that they 
produce the strongest plants. The old tubers cer- 
tainly yield an uninterrupted impulse, in the first 
stages of the growth of the stem ; but those old tubers 
do not readily decay, to give place to new ones; 
and the future growth of the plant becomes depen- 
dant partly on old, and partly on new roots. We 
have no doubt but the repeated propagation, by divi- 
sion of such old tubers, is prejudicial to the continued 
hwdthy growth of the plant. Instead of this, we 
would recommend reproduction, by drawing out the 
shoots from the crown of the plant, as noticed under 
306; or, hy cuttings made of such young shoots, 
either of which may be planted separately in pots, 
and placed in a hotbed or green-house, taking care 
to shade them, and they will strike root in two or 
three weeks, and afterwards bear full exposure. 
Plants, thus raised, produce an entirely new progeny 
of roots, through the medium of which, there is much 
reason to believe, the plant is more efficiently nourish- 
ed than when connected with any portion of the old 
tubers. 
In order to pursue the system of renovation with 
the greatest convenience, the old roots may be put 
close together, without pots, into a hotbed. Strew 
a little soil over them, but they need not be entirely 
covered. As shoots are produced, so cuttings may 
be made of them ; observing to leave an eye or two 
of each shoot on the old root, whence a fresh crop 
will rise, and thus the increase may be extended. 
Hort Kew.2, V. 5, 87. 
