Propagation 267 
Sometimes fruit trees are budded or grafted on suckers. 
This is not a good plan, however, owing to the trouble 
caused by the constant growth of suckers. 
DIVISION 
Propagation is generally effected by division, among 
the majority of herbaceous plants. It is done in the 
springtime, just when the plants have started growth. 
The thick fleshy roots (in many cases) soon heal up at 
this time. 
If the clumps are large, a spade may be taken and 
the clumps cut up with it. A fork should then be used 
for lifting out the pieces. If they are comparatively small, 
they may be cut with an edging iron, which will be sharper 
than a spade. On no account should the healthy parts 
of the clumps round the outside be all cut off. If this is 
done, the older exhausted part would be left to form the 
plant for the following year. This is often done by those 
who ought to know better. The plant should be carefully 
divided, and, if necessary, the old plant should be thrown 
away entirely, and replaced by a young healthy one. 
It very often happens that the clumps of herbaceous 
plants become too large. This reduces their strength. 
The flowers, too, become smaller than they should be. 
Plants should always be divided before they become too 
large. 
