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Handbook of Nature-Stttdy 



plant will often have several leaves before putting forth roots. Each 

 runner may start one or more new strawberry plants. After the young 

 plant has root growth so as to be able to feed itself, the runner ceases to 

 carry sap from the main stem and withers to a mere dry fiber. The 

 parent plant continues to live and bear fruit, for the strawberry is a per- 

 ennial, but the later crops are of less value. Gardeners usually renew 

 their plots each year, but if intending to harvest a second year's crop, 

 they cut off the runners as they form. 



Strawberry fruit. 



LESSON CLXXI 

 The Strawberry 



Leading thought — The strawberry plant has two methods of perpet- 

 uating itself, one by the seeds which are grown on the outside of the 

 strawberry fruits, and one by means of runners which start new plants 

 wherever they find place to take root. 



Method — It would be well to have a strawberry plant, with roots and 

 runners attached, for an observation lesson by the class. Each pupil 

 should have a leaf, including the clasping stipules and sheath at its base. 

 Each one should also have a strawberry blossom and bud, and if possible 

 a green or ripe fruit. 



Observations — i. What kind of root has the strawberry? What is its 

 color ? 



2. How are the leaves of the strawberry plant arranged? Describe 

 the base of the leaf and the way it is attached to the stem. Has each 

 leaflet a pedicel or stem of its own? How many leaflets are there? 

 Sketch a strawberry leaf, showing the edges and form of the leaflets, and 

 the veins. 



