"Why, I think we shall have to make up some more," said the Chief Gardener. "It will help us to remember."
II
PLANTS KNOW HOW TO SPREAD
It was not many days after this that the Chief Gardener was digging among his vines, and he called to the children, who came running.
"We were talking the other day," he said, "about the many ways that old plants have of making new ones. See how this black raspberry vine is spreading."
The Chief Gardener pointed to a long branch that had bent over until the end touched the earth. This end had taken root, and now a new little plant was there all formed and ready to grow the coming year.
"There is another just like it," said Davy, "and another—why, there are lots of them!"
"Yes, the vine sends out many of those long slender branches with a heavy little bud at the end of each to weigh it down. Such branches are called stolons, and when the bud touches the earth it sends out roots. Strawberries have runners which do the same thing. You will find plenty of them if you look in the patch."
Davy and Prue went over to the strawberries and found that the vines, now red and brown from frost, had sent out runners, and made little new plants, like the black raspberries.