324 State Horticultural Society. 



Now, harrow enough to smooth the surface, but leave the ground 

 somewhat loose. 



About March 20th it is generally safe to begin setting the plants, 

 and it is important in planting a large acreage that no time be lost. 

 Mark the ground out both ways, the wide way three feet ten inches 

 and the other three to three and one-half feet, according to varieties 

 to be set. 



In planting, get, if possible, experienced help, and allow them to 

 use nothing but dibbles for the work. This tool should be about three 

 inches wide and eight inches long, and is the only suitable one for the 

 purpose. 



Plants, of course, should be the best obtainable, and will be surer 

 to grow and make a stand if they were dug in the winter. Plants 

 taken up after the first sharp freeze, which usually comes in Novem- 

 ber, carefully cleaned of all runners and leaves and closely root- 

 trimmed, then packed in shallow boxes, or kept in cool, moist cel- 

 lars until needed, are much better than those dug as wanted in the 

 spring. The greatest advantage these plants have is that they will 

 keep much later than it is practicable to use the spring dug ones. An- 

 other advantage of winter digging is the having of that much work 

 out of the way before the rush that is sure to come with the spring. 



The planting operations being well under way the cultivators 

 should be started and kept following closely. If the land is not too 

 stumpy use a good two-horse cultivator that is provided with some 

 kind of a scratcher attachment Lo level the surface and kill weeds 

 that have been loosened by the narrow, deep running shovels, which 

 should for the most part be used in the cultivation of the strawberry. 



Keep l)iuls and blossoms picked off and cultivate thoroughly both 

 ways until nimnTs come out freely; then, instead of destroying these 

 runners uiiiil July, as recommended by some planters, train them 

 carefully along the rows as they will be needed and cultivate but one 

 way. Hoe when necessary, but do not attempt to do it after every 

 rain. 



Much of the labor expended by the average strawberry raiser 

 in trying to cultivate and hoe his plants as often as it rains is worse 

 than lost. 



As the season advances and runners come out freely, assist them, 

 if necessary, to fill in the spaces evenly, cultivating a little farther 

 ■from the center of the row each time, and carefully avoiding the 

 windrowing of the ruimcrs along the edges of the rows. 



By the ist to the 15th of August the rows, if the weather has been 



