8 Strait' berry Culture 



store up its resources in the crown instead of wasting them in 

 the production of runners that we don't want. 



This instinct to produce runners is a characteristic of all the 

 the varieties we cultivtae, but it seems to be stronger in some 

 than in others. We can by withholding nitrogen diminish some- 

 what the number of runners a plant will send out. So, this stirr- 

 ing of the surface and cutting runners must be kept up all sum- 

 mer. If no injury comes to roots or leaves, the plant will be in 

 splendid condition at the end of the growing season. During 

 the cold weather it will remain dormant; and, if subjected to 

 alternate freezing and thawing, it may receive great injury dur- 

 ing the winter. Assuming that it comes through all right, 

 growth will commence at the first of spring, and a great crop 

 will be produced in June. At the end of the bearing season the 

 plant is more or less exhausted; and, if a good crop is desired 

 from it the following year, the grower must commence at once 

 to give it a chance. It must develop a new root system, make 

 new leaves and add another story to its crown or stem. 



We are in the habit of regarding a strawberry plant as a per- 

 ennial, and so it is; but the roots, stem and leaves that are active 

 one year are dead a year hence, and new ones have taken up 

 the work. In early spring the roots that were made the fall be- 

 fore are fresh and vigorous, and new rootlets start from them, 

 and perhaps a few new roots start from the crown. This root 

 system is active until the end of the bearing season, and then 

 the roots turn black, and the plant is nearly at a standstill. The 

 leaves that rema : ned on the plant all winter are superseded by 

 others, and even the latter seem to lose their usefulness about 

 the time the roots are retiring from business. These changes 

 are more noticeable in our hot and dry climate than they are in 

 England. 



