60 SMALL FKUIT CTTLTUBIST. 



mover 1 with a ball of earth, then there will be no necessity 

 for reducing the number of leaves, because the connection 

 between the root and soil will not be broken, or, at least, 

 not entirely separated ; consequently they can continue 

 to absorb moisture and nutriment for the support of al 

 he leaves. 



Sometimes it may be advisable to *' puddle " the roots, 

 as it is called, before planting. This operation is per- 

 formed by mixing water with soil until it is of the consis* 

 tency of thin mortar; then dip the roots into it, coating 

 them with the mixture, which excludes the air and pre- 

 vents wilting so long as it remains moist. A tenacious 

 clay makes the best puddle, but it will sometimes adhere 

 so closely to the roots as to become injurious. It is well 

 to puddle, before packing, the roots of plants that are to 

 be transported a long distance, and consequently be a long 

 time on the journey. But the puddling should be washed 

 off and the roots trimmed before planting again. 



Roots that have been entirely excluded from the air for 

 any considerable time are likely to become soured, and it 

 is best to clean and refresh them with pure water before 

 again placing them in the ground. 



PLANTING AND CULTIVATION. 



There is no one operation of more importance to the 

 future success of a Strawberry bed than careful planting. 

 Some cultivators plant with a dibble, making a small hole 

 in which the roots are thrust, all crowded together in a 

 mass. Plants may live under such treatment, but certainly 

 cannot thrive so well as though their roots were carefully 

 pread out in a natural position. 



A common garden trowel should always be used, and a 

 hole made in the soil large enough to admit the roots 

 without crowding. Set the plants just so deep that 

 all of the roots will be covered, and no deeper ; for if the 

 wown is buried it is very liable to decay, particularly in I 



