CHAPTER IV 

 PROPAGATION BY MEANS OF LAYERS AND RUNNERS 



MANY plants habitually propagate by means of decumbent 

 shoots and runners. These shoots become more or less covered 

 with earth or leaves, and roots are formed, usually at the joints. 

 In many cases, the old shoots die away and an entirely inde- 



FIG. 58. A runner of strawberry. 



pendent plant arises from each fascicle of roots. In other 

 plants, the shoots remain attached to the parent, at least for 

 a number of years, so that the plant comprises a colony of 

 essentially independent but connected individuals. 



Certain definitions should be clearly understood before we 

 proceed with the discussion. A runner is a shoot that trails 

 on the ground, taking root at intervals ; the strawberry pro- 

 duces true runners (Fig. 58) . Sometimes the runner is covered 

 by the accumulating surface mold (Fig. 59) . A root may some- 

 times act as a runner. A stolon is a decumbent or lopping 

 shoot which, without artificial aid, takes root and forms an 

 independent plant. It usually starts more or less erect and 

 bends over to the ground as it grows. The honeysuckles, some 



