THE STRAWBERRY CULTTJRIST. 



usually possess but little vigor, seldom, producing much fruit or very 

 large. On the other hand, a variety may run too much to foliage, and 

 consequently be unproductive, but the strong growers should be relied 

 upon, as it is only through such that we can expect any great increase 

 in size or productiveness. 



The difference in growth of the roots of strawberries is also worthj 

 of notice. Some are long, thread-like, as those of the Crimson Cone, 

 penetrating deeply into the soil, while others have short, fleshy roots. 

 Kivers' Eliza is very peculiar in this respect, for in some soils it is al- 

 most tuberous. 



The foliage will not indicate the form of the roots, as those of some 

 of the tall growers are very short. These variations in the form of 

 roots, when observed, will often assist us in determining what kind 01 

 particular soil will best suit a particular variety. The short-rooted 

 varieties must have a more moist and deeper prepared soil to encour- 

 age their elongation, while the long wire-rooted kinds go deeply and 

 widely in search of food, even in unfavorable soils. The latter suc- 

 ceed much better in dry sandy soils than the former. 



There is another peculiarity in the growth of different varieties 

 which has been too little studied, namely, those that produce stools 

 or crowns adhering together, and those that do not. 



Figure 12 is an exact representation, half size, of a plant of the Bart- 

 lett that has borne two crops and is three years old. While it shows a 

 number of crowns, there are not more than two that are united on one 

 stem. This variety divides of itself, and will not form a large stool and 

 remain united. If the runners are kept removed, you can compel the 

 plant to form large clusters of crowns, from which a larger number of 

 fruit-stalks will grow ; yet this cluster of crowns will generally issue 

 from individual plants the plant seeming to divide of its own accord, , 

 more than two crowns seldom remaining united, except by the inter- 

 lacing of the roots. 



Every season, as the fruit-stalks push up, new crowns are formed at 

 the sides of those that have produced fruit, and soon after forming they 

 emit new roots above the old ones, and are thus supplied with food 

 through the new roots, the old ones merely answering as an anchor 

 to hold the plant hi its place. These crowns not only soon divide 



