10 



through. The mulch must be light in such cases. The better way is to rake 

 between the rows all rough or coarse materials to act as a mulch there, where it 

 will conserve moisture and tend to keep the fruit clean or free from dust. This 

 may be done quite early in the spring, or about the time that here and there in 

 the patch a few leaves begin to blanch from too much cover or protection. If it 

 is desired to produce early fruit, the mulch may be raked between the rows much 

 earlier or as soon as there is any sign of life or growtli. The early growth may be 

 delayed some days by not removing the mulch, but it is doubtful if this is a 

 desirable practice, except in special cases, such as when early blossoms are liable 

 to frost injury or it is desired to cater to a late market. There is one serious 

 objection to the mulch and that is, unless the manure, or straw, is practically 

 free from weeds such a number of seeds are scattered over the field that it is 

 almost impossible to keep the patch free from them. This applies even more 

 strongly when the patch is to be kept for a second or third crop. Because of this 

 objection many of the best growers do not mulch at all, but rather manure heavily 

 before the plants are set, a.nd depend on them to make sufficient growth to protect 

 themselves. It seems safer, though, as a rule, to mulch with as clean manure as 

 can be obtained, and chance damage from weeds rather than damage from freez- 

 ing. Also in some cases the rough or strawy part of the mulch is removed entirely 

 from the field and the spaces between the rows well cultivated until the picking 

 season opens. This method, however, is not to be commended, as it not only re- 

 moves a quantity of vegetable matter that would make humus, but detracts from 

 the quality and appearance of the fruit by exposing it to diist and dirt. 



Renewing the Plantation. — It is doubtful, in the majority of cases, if it 

 pays to fruit a plantation more than one year. Weeds, insects and diseases, get a 

 strong foothold, and generally the fruit is smaller and produced in less quantity, 

 though some growers claim greater quantity. The fruit, however, ripens a little 

 earlier, and consequently commands a high price, but the season is, as a rule, shorter. 



Some growers argue that since it takes the better part of two years to fruit 

 a patch, it should be renewed, as the second crop is then produced in one year. 

 At the same time it is admitted that the work of renovation must be done just 

 at the time when there is a rush of other work, and at a time when the soil is 

 usually hard and dry. There are many oases, in rich sandy soils, especially, 

 where it no doubt pays well to renovate ; but since no comparative figures of yields 

 and returns are available we must for the present at least, leave the point to the 

 individual preference of the grower. He alone knows what is best for his par- 

 ticular location — after some years of experience. 



There are a number of systems of renovation recommended, and not one of 

 them is simple or easily accomplished. At hest it is a difficult task. In every 

 case, however, the patch should first be mowed and raked, or if at all possible 

 burned over. 



Cleaning by hand-hoeing, narrowing the rows and thinning the plants, is 

 slow but sure, and has given good results. 



A furrow may be plowed on either side of the row, away from it, and 

 narrowing it to about eight or ten inches. The remaining part of the row is then 

 hand-hoed and the weeds unless in too great quantity pulled into the furrow. 

 The whole is then levelled by cross-harrowing. Some plants will be injured by 

 this, but with care a sufficient number will be left to reproduce the row. 



Again a furrow may be plowed on either side of tlie row and thrown on to 

 it, and the whole levelled with a drag harrow. The plants under fair weather 



