The plants do not know anything about our purpose in regard to
them. They merely seek to follow the law of Nature to propagate
themselves, first by seeds which, strictly speaking, are the
fruit, and then by runners. These slender, tendril-like growths
begin to appear early in summer, and if left unchecked will mat
the ground about the parent with young plants by late autumn. If
we wish plants, let them grow by all means; but if fruit is our
object, why should we let them grow? "Because nearly every one
seems to do it," would be, perhaps, the most rational answer. This
is a mistake, for many are beginning to take just the opposite
course even when growing strawberries by the acre.
Let us fix our attention on a single plant. It has a certain
amount of root pasturage and space in which to grow. Since it is
not permitted to produce an indefinite number of young plants, it
begins to develop itself. The soil is rich, the roots are busy,
and there must be an outlet. The original plant cannot form
others, and therefore begins to produce fruit-crowns for the
coming year. All the sap, all the increasing power of root and
foliage, are directed to preparation for fruit. In brief, we have
got the plant in traces; it is pulling in the direction we wish,
it will eventually deliver a load of berries which would surprise
those who trust simply to Nature unguided.
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