466 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



FIG.7I 



FIG. 72 



FIG. 73 



FIG. 74 



The above illustrations from Bulletin 27, Central Experimental Farm, show clearly 

 how to do and how not to do it. 



Fig. 71 is obviously all rig-ht. In Fig. 72 

 the root system has a poor chance to develop 

 quickly. Fig. 73 shows a plant too deeply 

 set, In such a case the crown would be 

 smothered and the plant die. In Fig. 74 

 the reverse has happened and the plant 

 would probably soon wither and die. 



FIG.75 



Perfect Flower 



Strawberries may be practically divided 

 into two classes, those with perfect and 

 those with imperfect blossoms. The former 

 has both stamens — male organs — and pistil 

 — female organ. The latter only the 

 pistil. 



In Fig. 75 and 76 illustrations of each 

 kind will be seen. As a pistillate variety 

 cannot produce fruit unless fertilized by the 

 pollen from a perfect flower, it is necessary 

 to see that at least part of the patch is given 

 up to varieties with a perfect flower. One 

 row of "perfect" varieties to every three 



rows of varieties with imperfect blossoms 

 will answer the purpose. Cut off" all blos- 

 soms from the newly set plants. They will 

 produce fruit at the expense of growth. 

 Cultivate and hoe thoroughly and often. If 

 possible do not let a single weed go to seed 

 the first season and you will be well repaid 



■IG.76 



Imperfect Flower 



the following year. On the whole the 

 "matted row" system of growing is the 

 best. Some growers cut off all runners for 

 the first two months and then let them grow; 

 others — and this is probably the better plan 

 — allow a few runners to establish themselves 

 from each plant and then cut off all subse- 

 quent runners. In this way a sufficient 

 amount of strong, vigorous plants are ready 

 for fruiting next year. In any case the mis- 

 take should not be made of getting a wide, 

 densely matted row, where half the plant is 

 producing little or no fruit, or fruit of an in- 



