THE STRAWBERRY. 417 



spring-, preferably before the middle of May. If the ground is very 

 dry when planting time comes, it is better to wait a few weeks for 

 rain than to set out in dry soil and try to keep the plants alive by 

 watering. 



There are two methods of planting, the hill system for the home 

 g-arden, and the matted row system for large growers. In the hill 

 system we set the plants out one foot apart, in rows four feet apart. 

 The runners are kept cut off, so that we have one large plant to each 

 hill. This system will produce fine, large berries, but not so abund- 

 antly as by the matted row system. 



In the matted row system we set the plants out two feet apart, in 

 rows four feet apart. The land may be marked out with a corn 

 marker, so that the rows will be four feet apart one way and two 

 feet apart the other way, and the plants set at the intersections. 

 After the plants are set out, the cultivator should be run both ways, 

 until the runners start, when it should be run only in the four foot 

 interval. The cultivator will push the runners together so as to 

 form a matted row about eighteen inches wide. The plants should 

 be six inches apart; if nearer, thin out with a hoe. The bed should 

 be cultivated at least once every ten days until the end of August, 

 when cultivation should cease for the season. 



The young plants which we set out should have the tops trimmed 

 so as to leave only two or three of the most thrifty leaves, and if 

 there is a thick mat of roots they should be trimmed back to about 

 three inches. 



There are many ways of setting out plants, but probably the most 

 common is the man, spade and boy system. After the land is 

 marked out the man places the spade with the back side away from 

 him, presses it about six inches into the moist earth, moves it from 

 him and lifts it out. The boy takes up a plant, separates the roots 

 and puts them in the hole. The man puts the spade in the ground 

 about four inches nearer him than he had it before, and presses the 

 soil against the plant. The boy finishes the operation by firnaing 

 the plant in the soil with his hands. 



In this vicinity, in order to secure the best results, the vines must 

 be protected in the winter. A deep coat of snow will answer the 

 purpose, but as we cannot depend upon having- that it is necessary 

 to cover with litter of some sort. Straw, marsh hay or cornstalks 

 will answer the purpose. This litter should be free of weed seeds. 

 The litter should be put on the bed after the g-round is frozen hard 

 enough to bear a team. About three to four inches of litter is 

 enough in this vicinity, but in exposed locations much more is 

 needed. The covering should be taken off in the spring, about the 

 time the leaves starl, and it may be placed between the rows to serve 

 as mulch during the summer. 



If there is any danger of frost after the plants are in bloom, some 

 of the litter between the rows may be thrown over the plants at 

 night and taken off in the morning. This will protect the blossoms 

 so that they will not be injured by the frost. 



Most growers prefer to fruit the bed only one season, while others 

 fruit their beds two seasons with good results. If you desire to 



