THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 197 



ting away the shoots till we have only the thick canes or 

 stems that grew last year, or the year before." 



Without further parley, Mary plied her knife quickly, 

 and soon displayed before their astonished eyes, not a fan- 

 shaped vine, but one having a single stalk dotted up and 

 down the sides with little projecting spurs, or woody points. 

 Each spur had a cluster of buds about it, giving assurance 

 of a bountiful supply of bearing shoots for the next season. 



" Why ! " exclaimed Kate. " I don't see what that was 

 for. Why did not the gardener train them all fan-fashion ? " 



" I'm sure I don't know; but it is plain he did not, for 

 you can see that but one shoot grows from the root." 



The next vine was attacked, and proved that it, too, was 

 only a single cane. 



" It seems the gardener trained our vines in two different 

 ways. I can't imagine why." 



' ' Was it not to gain room ? These two are planted close 

 together at the end of the fence. Perhaps there was not 

 room for a fan-shaped one." 



" You are right, Kate. That solves it. But come, it- is 

 getting dark. We can do no more to-day." 



Mary led the way. and Kate and Johnny followed after. 



Kate to her brother in a whisper: "Polly feels better 

 to-day." 



" Course she does. Went out and did something. Noth- 

 ing like working round out-of-doors for some folks." 



Johnny was a philosopher. There is nothing like healthy 



