Training the Plant 103 



of fruiting crowns is encouraged. In an experiment by 

 U. Dammer, six rows of Sharpless of fifty plants each were 

 used ; one row had all runners removed weekly ; from the 

 next row runners were removed every two weeks ; from 

 the last row every six weeks. Row one produced 916 

 berries, row six 482 berries. The experiment indicated 

 that by removing the runners as soon as they appear, the 

 number of fruit stalks is increased but the season of ripen- 

 ing is delayed somewhat.^ This accords with general 

 experience ; matted rows are several days earlier than hills 

 or hedge-rows of the same variety. If the runner is cut 

 close, between the first joint and the parent plant, it is 

 destroyed; if cut beyond the joint, a new plant may 

 form at that point. One reason why rolling runner- 

 cutters are not more effective is because they do not cut 

 close enough. 



Runners sometimes are removed most advantageously 

 by pulling or pinching. The work should be done fre- 

 quently, before the cords get tough. If several are jerked 

 off together, the roots of the mother plant may be dis- 

 turbed. Many prefer to use a knife or shears ; a sharp hoe 

 is serviceable also. Where the fruiting season is protracted, 

 as in California, runners are pinched when picking or hoe- 

 ing. 



There are several special devices for cutting runners on 

 hill plants ; these can be used to some advantage on hedge- 

 rows also. The circular dropper has been in use since 

 1869 and is still most popular, especially on the North 

 Pacific coast (Plate IX). This is made of a piece of sheet- 

 iron about twenty-eight inches long and six inches wide, 

 with one end sharpened. The ends are riveted together, 

 making a cylinder about nine inches in diameter. Cyl- 



1 Gard. Chron. 1899, pp. 217-18. 



