1 87 1.] CULTIVATION OF HARDY FRUITS. 467 



method is very seldom, if ever, resorted to, as almost all the varieties of the 

 Strawberry produce runners so plentifully that it is unnecessary to do so, and 

 further divisions from the old plants never make such good and useful plantations 

 as those planted by runners. Runners are produced by the old plants sending 

 forth a branch which, at the distance of from 1 to 2 feet, produces a bud which in 

 a few days develops itself into a young plant. Properly speaking, the bud is 

 produced in the runner as soon as it starts from the parent plant, but it does not 

 become developed until it has grown to something like the distances given above. 

 As soon as the bud begins to develop, the young plant starts to emit roots 

 into the soil, and in the course of a few weeks has so established itself that it is 

 quite able to support itself without the assistance of the parent plant. The run- 

 ner in most cases does not stop growth when it has produced one plant, but con- 

 tinues to grow, producing young plants at regular distances to the number of two, 

 three, or four, which as a rule is the most it can do during the course of a season's 

 growth. The first plant upon the runner is invariably the best for all practical 

 purposes ; being the oldest, and having the longest time to grow, it is better estab- 

 lished, and makes a more robust plant before the planting season. It has been 

 affirmed by some growers that the second plant, and all the others produced after- 

 wards along the runner, are not nearly so productive as the first. We cannot 

 vouch for the accuracy of this statement, as we never have thoroughly proved the 

 matter ; but, from a physiological point of view, we are of opinion that such is 

 likely to be the case. The first plant produced, as we have already hinted, must 

 be the strongest and healthiest, and being nearer to the parent than any of the 

 others, is sure to consume as much of the juices passing along the runner as is 

 necessary for its own sustenance before any is allowed to pass to the runner 

 further along. From what we have said, it will be noticed that the aim of the 

 cultivator is to encourage the first plant upon the runner as much as possible, as 

 to all intents and purposes it is the best suited for the planting of a fresh plot of 

 Strawberries. If such, therefore, be desired, the following plan may be adopted 

 with every hope of success : as soon as the plants begin to produce runners — 

 which, as a rule, is the end of May and on to the end of June, according to 

 position and climate — let the best rows of the desired varieties be selected, between 

 which may be spread an inch or two of leaf-mould, well decomposed, or good 

 manure ; this may be forked into the soil to the depth of 2 or 3 inches, and 

 thoroughly incorporated therewith. As soon as the young bud begins to 

 develop itself into a plant, let it be fixed upon this prepared ground either by 

 means of a peg or by laying a stone thereupon, so as to keep it steady until it has 

 fixed itself into the soil. The point of the runner beyond the plant ought to be 

 pinched, for the twofold purposes of preventing a second plant from being formed, 

 and further to encourage the plant already formed to make a strong and healthy 

 growth. If the old plants are in good health, they ought to produce as many 

 runners as will give a young plant for every 4 inches square of surface between 

 the rows. All other runners must be considered supei'fluous, and, as a conse- 

 quence, removed. This will give ample space for the young plants to grow until 

 such time as they are fit for placing in their permanent positions. Here we will 

 leave the runners until such time as we have disposed of the seedlings. 



It is superfluous to say that the object of growing seedlings is in order to 

 obtain new, and if possible superior, varieties to those already in cultivation. 

 The surest plan to accomplish this is to impregnate artificially those varieties 

 which the cultivator considers to be the most likely to accomplish the object he 

 has in view. For this purpose the finest and healthiest flowers should be selected 



