STRAWBERRIES. 191 



by this method the beds are made four feet wide, and the 

 plants set out in three rows, one in the center, the others 

 fifteen inches from it on either side, and the plants fifteen 

 inches apart in the rows. The finest obtainable fruit is 

 said to be secured by this mode of planting, but it requires 

 hand culture in the beds themselves, though between them 

 the cultivator can be used. Strong, thrifty plants in the 

 "hill" protect each other, as the close foliage shades roots 

 and berries. 



For field culture in Florida, however, we believe the 

 narrow row, which is also called the ''hill" system, and 

 more correctly so than the above, to be the most satisfac- 

 tory in all respects. Mark off the rows as before, three 

 feet apart, or two and a half if preferred; now, throw 

 down upon them a liberal supply of well-rotted compost, 

 muck, stable or cow manure (do not allow sticks or stub- 

 ble), and either spade or plow it in at least a foot deep; 

 do not make the mistake of treating the strawberry as a 

 surface feeder ; its roots, if they can find food, will go down 

 two feet or more, as they love to do in their search for 

 water, and spread very little on the surface. 



If none of the home manures named can be had (they 

 are to be preferred for turning under because reteotive of 

 moisture), use some good commercial fertilizer instead, and 

 do n't be afraid of it either. 



The plants in the narrow row should be set in singe line, 

 ten or twelve inches apart ; if in good soil, one year's growth 

 will make a continous line of green. 



The cultivator will keep the soil clean and mellow, and 

 leave very little to be done by hand ; what there is can be 

 readily done by a simple little iron instrument, readily made 

 by the local blacksmith, in shape thus, T; fasten this to a 

 wooden rake or hoe-handle, and it will be found a most 

 excellent implement for the purpose, as it can be used flat 



