TRUCK FARMING. 627 



weather is favorable and good strong plants are available, it may be 

 done in August. 



Clean culture, from the time of setting the plants to that of gathering 

 the second crop, is of paramount importance. If the grower is not 

 determined to accomplish this he had better not attemi)t a strawberry 

 crop in our weed and grass growing country. 



After the last working and before the plants bloom they and the in- 

 tervening sj^ace should be mulched, both to keep the fruit clean and 

 that the crop may derive the other advantages of the covering. Pine 

 straw is that usually applied at the South. 



Strawberries as far south as Charleston should not be fully ripe when 

 liicked for market, and should at all times be handled carefully to avoid 

 bruising. It is best to have the berries picked directly into the quart 

 baskets in which they are shipped, provided the pickers can be relied 

 upon, for the least handling the better. These baskets are packed in 

 separate tiers in well-ventilated crates holding 32 baskets, and these 

 shipped as far south as Charleston in refrigerators. 



The common field crickets are more destructive to the fruit than any 

 other insect, but those specially infesting the strawberry plant at the 

 South are, (1) the Strawberry heat-ioWev (Anchylopera fragaria;)-, (2) 

 the Strawberry-worm [Em^phytus maculatiis); the Strawberry Crown- 

 borer {Analcis fragaricc) ; (4) the Strawberry Leaf-beetle {Golasjgis Jia- 

 vida)', and (5) the Flea-like Negro-bug {GorimeUena j)ulicaria). 



