Planting 29 



Trimming, 



The roots are shortened one-third to three-fourths (Fig. 

 2) . Some growers prefer roots four or five inches long ; 

 others shorten them to one or two inches. If planting in a 

 mild climate and on a sandy soil, the roots may be short- 

 ened much more than would be advantageous in a rigorous 

 climate and on heavy soil. Ordinarily, the roots are 

 shortened to about three inches. If much longer than 

 this, it is hard to set the plants, as the roots wad in the 

 hole. Some growers think that if the old roots are cut 

 back heavily the new roots are more likely to grow down- 

 ward, so that the plant will be more deeply rooted. This 

 contention does not appear to be well founded. The 

 roots are clipped off with pruning shears or knife while 

 tied in bundles. Ordinarily, all dead or diseased leaves 

 and runner strings are trimmed off before the plants are 

 set, and but two or three leaves left. Retain old leaves in- 

 stead of young, as they are less likely to burn. In Florida 

 and the Gulf states, some growers retain practically all 

 the leaves, because they protect the crown from the sun. 



THE SPACING OF THE PLANTS 



To secure the fullest use of the land and economy in 

 tillage, the plants should be spaced uniformly. There 

 are two distinct problems in spacing plants — the best 

 distance between plants in the row, and the best distance 

 between rows. 



Distance between plants in the row. 



This depends on the plant-making habit of the variety, 

 method of training, location and nature of the soil. If 

 the runners are not to be restricted, the habit of the 



