wide rows. Eighteen or twenty inches between the rows is plenty space for the 

 pickers to work, and in the matted row system the best berries are usually found 

 on the outside of the rows. Then why not grow as many narrow rows as possible? 

 The plants may be set in rows both ways. Tliis has the distinct advantage 

 of permitting of cultivation, both ways until the plants begin to run. Time is 

 saved in hoeing, of course, but an objection is found in the fact that if a plant 

 does not grow, too great a distance is left to be filled in by runners from the 

 nearest plants. All vaoancies must consequently be filled as they occur. The 

 greater distances apart of planting are gradually losing ground in favor of a 

 medium distance of about forty inches between the rows by twenty-four to thirty 

 inches in the row. 



Hill System. 



Choice of Plants. — Plant only the best. Many growers are still making the 

 mistake of setting plants from the edge of the now. In this way they unconsciously 

 ■select the last runners that were formed the previous year, most of which, because 

 of their lateness in forming, have not yet developed strong root systems. Such 

 nmners can not be expected to make first elass parent plants. It is much to be 

 preferred to dig up all the row, the best row in the patch, and select from this only 

 the best plants, those with large, white, healthy roots. Do not set the old black 

 rooted parent plant or any plant tbat has been weakened ]>y disease, frost or 

 water. The poorer plants can easily be distinguished by the dark and discolored 



roots. 



The strength, heallth and vigor of the plants may be improved by setting aside 

 a row or two of selected plants to be saved for planting the following year. In 

 these rows space the runners carefully; allowing from four to six inelies square 

 to each plant. This will permit of a strong uniform development of crown and 

 root. There is just as much individuality in the strawberry as in ilie apple. 



