THE STRAWBERRY 155 



or potted plants will yield a few very large berries, and 

 it is from these plants that we often obtain the prize 

 berries, but the cost of plants and the small crop ob- 

 tained does not warrant the outlay if grown for profit. 



PLANTS 



Only plants with young, white roots should be used 

 if the best results are expected, and plants taken from 

 a bed grown for fruiting are not as good as those grown 

 for plants alone when all of the plants are dug out by 

 lifting the soil for several inches deep. In digging, 

 the plants should be protected from the air as soon as 



♦ "«••••. .»• >• » i» • til..* 



Fig. 79— Fig. 80— 



Method of Planting Perfect and Imperfect Varieties 



out of the ground by putting into sacks or covered 

 baskets and be taken to a cellar or moist shed, where 

 the dead leaves and runners are all pulled off, the roots 

 straightened out and placed in bunches, or if to be sent 

 away tied in bundles of twenty-five or fifty each. Placed 

 in this way for a little time, the roots are straight and 

 easily planted. If plants are to be shipped for some 

 distance the roots should be packed in damp moss with 

 the leaves exposed to the air, when they will keep for a 

 long time in good condition. 



Staminate and Pistillate, or Perfect and Imperfect 

 Plants — In selecting varieties it must be borne in mind 

 that if those with pistils only are planted, little or 



