96 Strawberry-Growing 



around the plant a more uniform row is secured. Further- 

 more, the first runners root with greater dijBBculty than 

 those that appear later ; they are more likely to be blown 

 about. 



When to begin bedding. 



Some growers remove only the first four or five runners, 

 others keep them cut off until midsummer. This con- 

 serves the strength of the mother plant, upon which the 

 runners would draw heavily for some time, if allowed to 

 remain. Many varieties make weak runners early in the 

 season and strong runners later. The longer it is possible 

 to work close to the mother plant, without being obliged 

 to narrow the cultivator on account of runners, the more 

 thorough and economical is the tillage. Especially is this 

 true in matted-row training ; when runners begin to spread, 

 weeds begin to flourish. 



Late bedding, however, has several disadvantages. 

 In the North, plants about one year old are thought 

 to be more productive than younger plants. Many 

 growers in the South are convinced that the opposite is 

 true ; they prefer late runners. There is more likely to be 

 drouth in July and August than in June; late bedded 

 runners may fail to make a good stand. Some varieties 

 throw out few runners during the season if the early ones 

 are allowed to root; if kept cut off until midsummer, 

 runner production is aggravated. This may be a serious 

 objection in matted row training. 



The best practice depends on local climate and the 

 variety. If the locality is visited more frequently with 

 drouth in June than in August, late bedding may be more 

 successful. The runners may be kept off strong-running 

 varieties later than would be feasible with moderate plant- 



