DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 
469 
but suckers and layers are apt to be more imperfect in this respect. 
Fig. 155, b, represents a common stool of 
suckers and their roots, which may be 
divided to make several plants, each with a 
root. The single stems, rooted all around, 
like the one marked a, are much better 
plants than those with roots on one side 
only as shown at c. It will be seen at a glance that the 
latter are much more likely to make lop-sided shrubs. Where 
it is desired to confine a shrub to a single stem, a plant rooted 
like the one at a is indispensable ; but for those shrubs which 
sucker and sprout so inveterately that they cannot be confined 
to a single heart or trunk, plants like those shown at b and c 
will answer as well. In the former case all the buds that can be 
seen that would be below the line of ground surface after plant- 
ing should be carefully cut out. The top should then be encouraged 
to branch low, otherwise suckers will spring from the roots in spite 
of all attempt to keep them back. It is a common mistake of 
those who experiment to make tree-like shrubs, to trim up the stems 
from the first. This at once lessens the-* vigor of the stem just 
where it needs to be strengthened. To grow a shrub on a single 
trunk, strong low branches must be encouraged, and these, resting 
upon and shading the ground around- the stem will usually lessen 
the tendency to suckers, which is worse in many-stemmed and 
“ trimmed-up ” shrubs. The advantage of a central trunk for 
some shrubs is not in the sight of tall bare stems which at once 
destroy the shrubby effect which shrubs are planted to produce, 
but rather for their greater neatness of appearance, ease of culture, 
and finer shadows under their drooping branches, than are ever 
seen under sucker-environed shrubs. These remarks of course apply 
only to those shrubs which show some aptitude for an arboreous 
habit. To attempt to grow currants, spireas, and other shrubs, in a 
tree form, will be time and labor thrown away. 
Fig. 155. 
