i8o 



GARDEN PROFITS 



This gives the vines a better chance to get a good 

 hold as they can climb on several sticks in place of 

 one. 



Fruit Notes. None of your fruit bushes should 

 be allowed to bear the first year even if they seem 

 willing. Pinch off the blossoms before the fruit sets 

 and you will send the energy into the roots and 

 body of the plant. As they are expected to last 

 for a number of years, this is only giving the bushes 

 a fair start, but they will certainly show their 

 gratitude later. 



Supposing that you are limited for space, I would 

 advise cutting off the strawberry runners to keep 

 the plants within bounds. In a 

 few years when the plants get 

 older, you can pot these runners 

 and get strong, new plants, for 

 nothing. This is done by sinking 

 a two or three-inch pot in the 

 ground near a thrifty plant, and 

 burying one of the nodes or joints 

 of a runner in the soil contained 

 in the pot. This joint will soon 

 throw out roots and new leaves 

 and become an individual plant. 

 It may then be cut away from the 

 parent plant, and be transplanted 

 to larger pots as its growth calls 

 for it. After a winter in the cold- 

 frame or greenhouse, it may beset 

 in the berry patch to bear the following spring. 

 The first season pinch off blossoms. This is the way 



The strawberry 

 runner-cutter re- 

 duces a matted row 

 of berries to a series 

 of uniform, conven- 

 ient sized plants. 

 Keep the bottom 

 edge sharp 



