344 



THE FRUIT PLANTATION 



out as much as possible and to press the soil firmly about 

 them, holding the plant so that the bud will be just above 

 the surface. If the season is late and the weather is hot 

 and dry, some or all of the older leaves should be re- 

 moved. If water is used, it should be poured about the 

 roots before the hole is filled and as soon as it has soaked 

 away the remaining soil should be packed about the 

 plants. During 'the first season the blossom stalks should 



227. Potted strawberry plant. 



be removed as soon as they appear, and the runners should 

 be restricted to a space about one foot wide. Some per- 

 sons prefer to still farther reduce the number of plants, 

 and after layering from three to four plants between those 

 originally set, all others are removed. 



Strawberries are often set in August or September, but 



