508 THE GARDENER. [Nov. 



more careful cultivation. After planting, it is necessary to stir the soil fre- 

 quently with a Dutch hoe, not only to keep down weeds, but also to keep the 

 soil open and free to the influences of the atmosphere. The first year the larger 

 varieties ought not to be allowed to fruit, and for this }>urposc all flowers ought 

 to be removed upon their flrst appearance. This will not only encourage the 

 growth of the plant, but will also be the means of encouraging a healthy and 

 fruitful constitution. We are not of those who think that the runners ought to 

 be removed upon their first a])pearance. Upon the other hand, we think that, 

 if the runners are removed, say in the middle of July, it will not be again 

 necessary to remove them until the growth of the season has been completed. 

 The runner does not injure the ])arent plant to the same extent as the produc- 

 tion of fruit and flowers, for while the latter are compelled from their position 

 to obtain all their nourishment from the parent plant, and that too in an increas- 

 ing ratio as the process of development proceeds, the former only requires 

 nourishment for a very short period, until such time as the runner has formed 

 roots fit for gathering food for its own sustenance. 



As the Strawberry delights in moisture, it is a very good plan to mulch 

 between the rows — for the purpose, in the first place, of preventing evaporation ; 

 and in the second place, to keep the fruit clean. This operation may be per- 

 formed any time from the middle of May till the middle of June, but we 

 prefer doing so towards the end of ]May. Various materials have been used 

 for these purposes, each and all of them having special recommendations of 

 their own. What we ourselves use is short grass, brought from the lawns and 

 spread about 2 inches deep all over between the rows. This proves a very tidy 

 mulching, easily procured and easily applied, but with this drawback, that it 

 is one of the very worst to use for the encouragement and protection of snails 

 and slugs. Other cultivators use straw which has recently been used in 

 the stables, and which does not j^rove such a harbour for vermin, but we 

 object to it u.pon the score of cleanliness. The best materials, however, are oat 

 and wheat straw pure from the stackyard. These no doubt prove rather ex- 

 pensive mulching materials, but as no objections can be made against them 

 upon the score of cleanliness, nor do they so comfortably harbour vermin, I 

 should prefer them above all other materials if I only had my own wishes to 

 fulfil. 



If the ground has been prepared as directed, the young Strawberries will 

 require no manure for several years, more especially if liberal waterings with 

 manure-water be given while the fruit is swelling. At the end of three or four 

 years, however, it may be necessary to assist them in one way or another. 

 For this purpose we recommend liberal top-dressings in early winter of rich 

 rotten manure, spread over plants, crowns and all. All the care necessary in 

 this matter is to be careful not to bury the plants. We prefer this method to 

 the common practice of spreading the manure between the rows and digging it 

 in, as experience and observation have led us to believe that digging is not con- 

 ducive to the wellbeing of the Strawberry, imless it cannot be avoided, on 

 account of weeds and other dirt which may have accumulated to such an 

 extent as to be only disposed of in this way. 



We now come to speak of the diseases and insect enemies to the Strawberry. 

 Of diseases it may be said there are none ; for while there may be diseases 

 among Strawberries to some extent, yet these, so far as we have observed, were 

 generally more the result of circumstances than hereditary or constitutional. 

 Of insect enemies, snails and slugs are the worst, and the only means to dimi- 

 nish their nimabers is to apply a dusting of lime. Mice and rats are sometimes 



