NEW METHODS WITH STRAWBERRIES 



ALTHOUGH the ordinary methods 

 adopted in strawberry growing are 

 according to the matted-row system and the 

 planting of a new patch each season, there 

 are growers who practice novel methods and 

 who are not afraid to recommend them. 



" Strawberries grown in hills," said Mr. 

 W. A. Best, of Picton, " give good returns. 

 The runners are kept cut off continually, 

 and as a result only one strong healthy 

 plant is left. This method, of course, re- 

 quires more labor than is entailed by the or- 

 dinary culture, but the quality of fruit 

 amply repays the gardener. An extra crop 

 of only number one fruit results and a bet- 

 ter price is obtained. Besides, the patch 

 need not be renewed every season. Culti- 

 vation can be done both ways. 



" In the matted row the runners take 

 away the strength from the fruit, and as a^ 

 consequence fruit of poor quality is har- 

 vested. Cultivation can be done only one 

 way, and that only for the first season. The 

 weeds are sure to come and compel plowing 

 down after one crop is taken." 



ANOTHER METHOD. 



Some growers take several harvests from 



Small Fruit in the Orchard 



ORCHARDISTS cannot afford to de- 

 vote their land wholly to orchard 

 purposes for the first few years after the 

 young trees are set out. Different methods 

 of using the ground are adopted in different 

 sections. Some grow hoed crops, others 

 grain and others some of the small fruits. 

 The growing of grain is not to be com- 

 mended, but the choice sometimes depends 

 on the nature and condition of the soil. 



" Where my trees are small," said Mr. J. 

 M. Metcalf, of Grimsby, td The Horticul- 

 turist, " I always double crop. I like to 

 have some of the small fruits, such as rasp- 

 berries or blackberries there because the 

 bushes prevent the snow from blowing 



one planting with the matted row system. 

 " I have taken six fruitings in eight years 

 off the same ground, said Mr. J. M. Met- 

 calf, of Grimsby, to The Horticulturist. 

 " The ground was put into good condition 

 and as free from weeds as it was possible to 

 have it before setting out the plants. When 

 the crop was harvested the second year the 

 whole patch was gone over with a mower. 

 Then the plow was used, leaving about lo 

 inches of the old row bottom. After the 

 plowing a good harrowing was given to 

 tear it up well and destroy most of the 

 weeds. The hoes were then used to com- 

 plete the cleaning and the patch was treated 

 as if newly set out in the spring. 



" By this method it appeared as if the 

 plants were all destroyed, but it seemed to 

 set the young suckers to more vigorous 

 growth. The quality of fruit on the sixth 

 harvest was just as good as on the first. 

 This process would not be thoroughly suc- 

 cessful with all varieties. I have, however, 

 had success with Jessie and Michael's 

 Early. The plants must be strong growers, 

 w^hich will soon smother their own row and 

 make good growth before winter sets in." 



away in the winter and so serve as a protec- 

 tion to the fruit trees. Besides the berries 

 get the benefit of partial shade, and that 

 suits them best. Too much shade would 

 tend to make them soft and mushy, but the 

 shade afforded by an ordinary orchard im- 

 proves the quality. 



" I sometimes use, potatoes, sugar beets, 

 carrots, cabbage, etc. Corn is unsatisfac- 

 tory, as it requires too much moisture late 

 in the season when the trees need all they 

 can sfet." 



If I were going to plant a vineyard I would 

 set out Concords. They are hardier than 

 any other variety, seldom missing a crop, 

 while the quaHty is of the best. — (Adolphus 

 Pettit, Grimsby, Ont. 



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