CIIA1-. XII VILLA GARDENING 303 



they appear. When Strawberries are propagated by division, tlie 

 plantation must not continue longer than three years in one place. 

 Top-dressing and Watering. — Strawberries being to a large 

 extent surface -rooting, top-dressing plays an important part in 

 their culture, or should do. If we have a bed or quarter of ex- 

 hausted Strawberries and it is not convenient to replant — or if we 

 can make a new bed and still wish to retain the old one another 

 year — as soon as the fruit is all gathered dress off all runners and 

 dead leaves, place a layer of old cow dung 3 inches thick between 

 the rows, leave it there without digging or forking, or any other 

 effort at cultivation, and watch the result. In the spring, as soon 

 as the blossoms apjiear, mulcli heavily with stable litter ; by the 

 time the fruits are ripe the rains will have washed the litter clean, 

 and the Strawberries may rest ujion it without sustaining any 

 damage. Sometimes supports are used to prop up the fruit and 

 lift them into the sunshine. It is an advantage where it can be 

 done. The largest clusters may be supported by short forked 

 Hazel pegs, in default of anything better. As regards watering in 

 a dry time this adds immensely to the weiglit and value of the 

 crop. I was in a garden a short time ago where the Strawberries 

 were all withering for want of water, and tlie fruit did not attain 

 half its usual size because of the drought. Liquid manure in 

 any shape has great value. Where slugs and snails are troublesome 

 a good watering of limewater in April will do nuich to eradicate 

 these troublesome pests. If the weather is showery at that 

 season the lime will be as effective if dusted between the rows and 

 around the plants, and left for the rains to wash in ; soot is also 

 valuable. To sum up the principles of Strawberry culture, I should 

 define them briefly thus : Work the land deeply, but allow it time 

 to settle and consolidate. Manure liberally, but do not let the 

 roots come in contact with fresh rank manure — let it be mellow. 

 Select the plants with care from known fertile plants only, and as 

 some old favourite kinds occasionally show signs of wearing out, 

 obtain fresh stock from a good source sometimes. Give each plant 

 as much space as it can profitably occupy, according to its kind, 

 — this may vary from a square yard to less than half, — and allow 

 it to occupy that position just as long as it is profitable, but no 

 longer. 



Insects, Diseases, etc. — If well cared for insects are not 

 troublesome to the Strawberry. The greatest pests on some soils 

 are the slugs and snails, which shoiUd be met and destroyed early 

 in spring by dressings of soot and lime. Rats, mice, and birds, 

 especially blackbirds, are very destructive to the ripe fruit. 

 Of all these troubles I dislike the mouse worst, because he does 



