9 



as they form the first year. This permits of marked development of tlie parent 

 plants and the forming of a large crown or a number of crowns and when blossom- 

 ing time comes instead of one or two average flower stems, as from each plant 

 formed from runners in the matted row, we have a number of strong flower stems 

 from one pLant whose energies have been conserved for this purpose alone. In 

 this way we get a large hevry of excellent quality, but it is doubtful if tlie quantity 

 ])rodueed on an average is equal to that of tlie matted row. However, in the 

 home garden or where there is a special trade at a remunerative price, the practice 

 of hilling is not to be discouraged. The extra labor entailed of keeping the plants 

 within bounds makes the system impractical in the average commercial plantation. 

 Another disadvantage lies in the fact that the loss of a single plant from grubs, 

 ice, water, etc., leaves a large space in the row from which no returns can be 

 obtained. The individual plants also sutfor more in di'v weather because of the 

 less protection to the crow.ns. 



The following systems of forming the rows are copied from " Small Fruit 

 Culture," by Mr. W. T. Maeouii. They are not practical in extensive commercial 

 plantings, l)ut are of value in the home garden or when producing fruit for a 

 special trade. 



" The so-called single hedge and double hedge row systems are merely modifications 

 of the matted row. The runners, instead of being allowed to form indiscriminately, are 

 most of them removed and the rest placed where it is desired for them to grow. In the 

 single hedge row system, two to four runners are left on, and these are placed in line 

 with the row on each side of the parent plant. 



" When grown in this way the rows are two and one-half to three feet apart and 

 the original plants about two feet or more apart in the rows. When the row is formed 

 the plants are six to eight inches apart in a single row. 



" In the double row system, six runners are left to each plant in the row and two 

 on each side of the original row, all about equal distances apart. Trained in this way, 

 the original rows should be about three feet apart and the plants two feet or more 

 in the row." 



WiXTER Protection and Mulcitixg. — If the soil is at all inclined to be wet, 

 or subject to standing water, furrows should be opened here and there. Even on 

 tiled land and land with an open subsoil this is good practice. Oftentimes dur- 

 ing a tliaw in winter water collects in Low places and unless the furrows are opened, 

 and sometimes even then, ice forms and destroys the plants. 



A good heavy row of plants is sometimes all the protection that is needed, 

 es])eeially in the parts of the Province where there is a fair snow fall and the 

 wintci- temperature is fairly uniform. But snowfall and steady weather cannot 

 always be depended upon. A steady cold when the plants are at all protected is 

 not S'O injurious as freezing and thawing. Strawberries, like wheat, will not stand 

 this, unless there is a heavy top, and even then, some plants are weakened. 

 Generally it is best to supply the cover liy mulching the rows with a light covering 

 of Farmyard numure or straw. This covering does not need to be heavy, but still 

 of sufficient thickness, ahout two or three inches, to prevent drifting and freezing 

 and thawing. Straw will answer if manure is scarce. Sometimes straw is given 

 the preference because it does not settle so heavily on the rows and tend to smother, 

 especially if there is a heavy fall of snow weighing it down. The mulch should 

 be applied as soon in late fall or early winter as there is sufficient frost to hold 

 the waggon nicely. Xo damage can at this time be done to the cultivated and 

 consequently loose ground. Do not wait too long, as the mulch is better under 

 the snow than on top of it. 



Manv growers do not make a praclici' of I'emoving tli(> muh-h from the rows 

 in the spring, hut I'alher loosen it u]) well to permit the plants to work their way 



