The Canadian ttoRTicuLTtJRiST. 



167 



GROWING STRAWBERRIES. 



SEE many methods described for growing stra\v- 

 berries, but have never seen my plan mentioned 

 ',: by any one. I select a field most favorable in 

 soil and location to suit me, get the land seeded 

 clover — fall wheat preferred as a mother for the 

 clover. In autumn or winter, tile-drain thoroughly, run- 

 ning the drains from two to four rods apart, according to 

 nature of soil and lay of the same. 



The clover is allowed to grow about all it will, then 

 ploughed under (with a wide plough) ; from r5th to 20th of June 

 is usually the best time. I keep the surface worked enough to keep down weeds 

 for six or eight weeks, then plough again, top work enough to keep down weeds 

 and thistles until late in autumn ; then plough again, in wide lands ; this time 

 we follow the ordinary plough with another team and subsoil plough, which 

 loosens up the subsoil six to eight inches deep, but does not throw any out. 



We endeavor to run the drains across the field as much as pos.sible and 

 plough the opposite way, which I think gives deep and thorough drainage ; it 

 also renders a much better circulation of air through the soil, the plants root 

 deeper and stand drought much better than when land is not so treated. We 

 give a light dressing of ashes in the fall, when we have them, and always top- 

 dress rather heavily with fine manure during winter or early spring. 



About the first of May we prepare the land by thoroughly cultivating, har- 

 rowing and rolling (never plough clay in spring that was ploughed in autumn) ; 

 we mark out crossways with marks 2 ft. 6 in. apart, lengthwise 4 ft. apart ; cul 

 tivate both ways with the horse, until runners get to pushing out strong, then we 

 cease cultivating across the field and allow runners to root. We keep off all 

 blossoms the first season, also cut off runners until they begin to come strong 

 and numerous. 



As soon as ground freezes hard enough to bear horses, we mulch with 

 wheat straw ; in spring go along and part this from over the plants, leaving it 

 between the rows for pickers to kneel on ; it also holds moisture in the soil, 

 keeps down weeds, and keeps fruit clean. As .soon as the last picking is made, 

 we go on with the mowing machine and cut off all leaves, also weeds that have 

 sprung up ; as soon as well dried — two to five days, according to weather — I 

 watch for a favorable time in middle of the day, with some breeze, and fire the 

 _patch, which will burn over in a few minutes, destroying all weeds, if there 

 be any, also all insects, and rust. As soon as rain comes, we go on with the cul- 

 tivators again and cultivate occasionally until fall, very little hoeing being required 

 as a rule : mulch again with straw ; this time, as soon as through picking, we 

 plough all under. 2 



