210 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



between the rows. During the after season, in cultivating, fasten to the front of • 

 the cultivator a crossbar, on each end of which is attached a rolling coulter, 

 gauged at such distance apart as will give the desired space for culture between 

 the matted rows. This implement will remove all plants from the space. 

 Matted rows have generally the preference to any other system of growing the 

 strawberry, the main reason being that the prevalence of root-destroying insects 

 will not be so disastrous as in the single-hill system. 



Winter Protection. — Every plantation should have a protection during the 

 winter months, and in a bearing season until the crop of fruit is gathered. Old 

 prairie hay is the best, being freer from weed seeds and other foul matter than 

 most any other substance. This should be placed on the rows in autumn or 

 early winter, as the ground becomes frozen, to prevent injury occurring from 

 heaving of the land by freezing, and the exposure of the roots to sun and wind ; 

 also during the fruiting season, to retain moisture. 



Gathering and Marketing the Fruit. 



Picking Stands. — These should be provided beforehand, and made a suit- 

 able size to hold six quart boxes, by using four corner posts 4 to 6 inches long 

 and I to i^ inches square. The sides, ends and bottom should be covered 

 with common lath, cut into proper length, put on with fine shingle or common 

 lath nails, leaving spaces between each of i to 2 inches wide, to the ends of 

 which attach a bail or handle of some tough wood. 



Boxes. — For large plantations, the material should be secured in autumn 

 and made up during the winter. There are two styles, the " Leslie Oblong 

 Octagon " and the " Halleck," which is square. Either should be yellow poplar 

 wood. The first is the more generally used. 



Crates. — The material for these should be procured early in the season, 

 1 made up. The size holding 24 boxes is most suitable for all purposes, and 

 should be of yellow poplar wood. 



Packing House. — Every plantation of half an acre or more should be pro- 

 vided with ample shelter and storage room for the fruit during the picking 

 season. If simply for shelter from sun and winds, it may be constructed of 

 common canvas cloth, stretched on a pole frame ; but if for shelter from rains, 

 then it should be constructed of lumber. In either structure, shelves should be 

 provided within, on which to place the boxes when brought from the plantation 

 before packed. 



Picking. — For shipping, the fruit should be gathered as soon as fairly 

 colored. For home market, where it will be used in a short time, it should be 

 allowed to remain until fully ripened, to attain its highest excellence. For 

 either purpose, care must be given to pick by the stem, a short portion of which 

 should be left attached to the fruit. It is best not to touch the fruit in picking, 

 as any loosening of the stem, or pressure causing the juices to flow, will prove 

 an injury, and often spoil a large portion of the box. None but round and 



