m off from the main plants, and at the time of their final
removal from the nursery, to observe if at the bottom part they shew any
tendency to emit suckers, by the appearance of prominent buds, which, if
the case, should all be rubbed off as close as possible: as, however,
many sorts of trees and shrubs are liable to throw out considerably more
than may be wanted, they should always be cleared away annually at
least, and in such as are not wanted for increase, it is proper to
eradicate them constantly, as they are produced in the spring and summer
seasons. Also numerous herbaceous and succulent plants are productive of
bottom offset suckers from the roots, by which they may be increased. In
slipping and planting these sorts of offset suckers, the smaller ones
should be planted in nursery beds, pots, &c. according to the nature of
growth and temperature of the different sorts, to have the advantage of
one summer's advanced growth; and the larger ones be set at once, where
they are to remain, in beds, borders, pots, &c. according to the
different sorts or descriptions of them. The suckers of many of the
finer kinds of flower-plants, as in the auricula and others, may be
separated or taken off from the parent plants any time between the month
of February and that of August, as they may become of a proper size, or
be wanted for increase; but if they be not wanted for this use, they
should never be suffered to remain. They can often be slipped off by the
fingers, or a sharp piece of wood, without removing much earth, or the
plants from the pots; but when they are large, and cannot be thus
separated with a sufficient number of fibres to their bottom parts, they
may be taken out of the pots, and be removed by the knife without
danger, which is perhaps the best way, as affording most fibres. The
suckers of such old flower-plants, when they are wanted to blow strong,
should always be taken off without disturbing the plants in the pots,
especially when they are few. The suckers, in all cases of this sort,
should constantly be planted as soon as possible after they are slipped,
in proper small upright pots, giving a slight watering at the time, with
suitable temporary shade. They should be placed in proper situations
out of the droppings of trees. They thus soon become rooted. The suckers
of such flower-plants must, however, never be removed after the latter
of the above periods, as they have then done shooting, and are become
inac