The state herald., 1915-12-03
tBy NJ. N. EDGERToN3

IN sense tne strawberry plant is
an evergreen. Unlike the bush or
tree fruits, 1t has no wood growth to
ripen. Its leaves do not shrivel in
the fall, and at the touch of frost drop
from the plant. hence it is but reason.
able to suppose that the plant will
have further need of them at some
future time.
Observing closely, the student OF
nature will note that in place OF
ripening. as is the case with bush and
tree fruits, the leaves of the straw.
berry plant take on deeper shade
of green with the advent of autumn,
finally assuming a recumbent position.
This is natures method of prepar.
Ing this plant for the necessary period
of dormancy.
During this period the forces In the
plant remain inactive. With the com
ing OF spring, the warm breezes, sun
shine and showers, there is an awak-
ening-a springing up of new life.
With the bush and tree fruits this
awakening OF pent-up energy first
manifests itself by the swelling OF
buds. From these tiny leaves push
forth. TO be followed by the unfolding
and development OF blossoms.
In embryonic form. leaf and bios.
som have been tucked away and pro
tected in a sheath of well-ripened
woody growth
These stOred-up forces are pro
tected against injury from low temper.
ature up TO a certain point. depending
somewhat on atmospheric conditions
prevailing at the time and conditions
under which the growth and ripening
of these buds took place.
However with strawberry plants
there is no swelling and unfolding OF
of blossoms appears separately and at
different periods OF time.
In place Of well.ripened. woody It's
sue, the embryonic leaves and fruit
stems of this plant are protected by
the crown of the plant. which consists
OF succulent growth of plant tissue
only.
With such protection. these EN-.
bryonic leaves and fruit buds are not
fully prepared to undergo the rigors
of winter. hence additional protection
Is required II the plants are to retain
their strength and vigor unimpaired.
BY looking into the matter closely the
reason for this may be very plainly
seen
! have said that the leaves OF the
strawberry plant 20 into winter In
green. succulcnt state. and for this
reason their purpose has not yet been
fully accomplished.
With the advent OF spring. and the
awakening OF nature. these leaves re.
sumo activities.
The root feeders gather IN the ele.
ments OF plant food from ,he soil The
circulntory system carries this food
to leaf tissues, whore, under the action
OF sunshine. chemical change takes
place. by which II Is made available
for assimilation.
Some OF this perfect plant food Is
used by these same leaf tissues. but by
far the larger portion Is carried TO the
crown. there TO be used In the growth
and development OF a new and larger
leaf system.
This being true. II will readily be
seen that n the leaves OF the present
seasons growth do not pass through
the winter with vitality unimpaired an
abnormal condition In plant life will
result
With its tissues wholly or partly
dead. the leaves OF tho plant are nm.
able to resume tn. functional ac,iyi.
ties properly. AS would otherwise bc
the case
New leaves may push out from the
crown OF such plants. TO be sure. but
such growth never possesses that Wis,
orouu. healthy appearance 80 chnrac.
tcris,ic OF normally constituted plants
Nor are the leaves tho only part Of
the plant that sustaina injury through |
exposure 10 winter froHtH and sun.
shine. for the tissues that compose
the crown are injured more or lcss
by the same thawlne and freezing |
process
In addition to the injury TO the leaf
and crown. ~ noted. there H. on some
soils. injury done TO the root system
through the lif,ing. hcnying action Of
fforts
Grown on class OF snlls that honey
comb readily. these surfaco.focdlng
plants are often stranded. no TO speak,
their crowns projecting more or less
above the surface Of the ground, many
OF the fno feeding roots having been
broken IN the process
The contest with the elements
over the plants In the unprotected