26 THE STRAWBERRY CULTURIST. 



time to spare and inclination to experiment, to try, be* 

 cause there is not only a chance of producing varieties 

 better than any now in cultivation, but in addition the 

 pleasure of watching one's own seedlings grow and bear 

 fruit. 



Propagation by Runners. This is the natural 

 method of propagation of all the species and varieties ex- 

 cept the Bush Alpines. The first runner produced on a 

 plant in summer is usually the strongest and best for 

 early removal, but those that are produced later in the 

 season on the same runner are equally as good when of 

 the same age and size. Certain theorists have, however, 

 claimed that the first plant formed on a runner near the 

 parent plant was naturally stronger and better in every 

 way than those following or produced later, but long ex- 

 perience has not proved this to be true. If the second, 

 third or fourth plant should happen to thrust its roots 

 into richer soil than the first one, they will become the 

 larger and stronger plants before the end of the season. 

 To insure the rooting of the young plants, the surface of 

 the soil should be kept loose and open, and if a top 

 dressing of fine old manure can be applied just before or 

 at the time the runners are pushing out most rapidly, it 

 will greatly facilitate the production of roots. 



Pot Plants. In the last few years what are called 

 " pot-grown plants" have become very popular among 

 amateur cultivators, who may desire to purchase a few 

 plants and have them in the best possible condition to 

 insure rapid growth and early planting. To accommo- 

 date this class of buyers our Strawberry growers have made 

 these pot-grown or layered plants a distinct feature of 

 their business. In propagating plants by this mode 

 small two or three-inch flower pots are filled with rich 



