STRAWBERRY. 125 



each other, leaving an alley between each bed the 

 distance of the rows." Lindley " prepares the ground 

 for his plants by trenching twenty inches deep, and 

 adding a quantity of half-rotted dung ; the roots of 

 strawberries, penetrating as they do to a consid- 

 erable depth, it is at their extremities that they, in 

 common with all plants, take up their nourishment." 

 He plants in beds of four rows each, with alleys 

 from two feet, to two feet and a half, between the 

 beds. The stronger growing sorts are set fifteen 

 inches apart between the rows, and the same dis- 

 tance between each plant. The medium sized 

 growers (Early Virginia) are allowed twelve inches 

 each way ; and the smaller growing, such as the 

 Alpine, twelve inches by nine. Shaded and dark 

 situations, or under the drip of trees, although some- 

 times chosen, are unfavorable for this fruit. They 

 ought to be accommodated with an open, airy, and 

 warm exposure. 



" After the plantation is once made, the principal 

 attention required is, keeping the ground free from 

 weeds by repeated hoeing. The practice of Keen is 

 not only to keep the ground clear from weeds, but on 

 no account to allow any other crop to be planted 

 between the rows ; and I recommend (says he) to 

 scatter some loose straw, or long dung, between the 

 rows, as it serves to keep the ground moist, enriches 

 the strawberry, and forms a clean bed for the trusses 

 of fruit to lie upon ; and thus,' by a little extra 

 trouble and cost, an abundant crop may be ob- 

 tained." 



11* 



