Strawberry Culture 9 



As soon as rain comes after the bearing season, new roots 

 are sent out above the old ones; and, for this reason, it is well 

 to throw up a little soil to the crowns, for new roots will not 

 come out above ground. If all is favorable an abundance of 

 roots and leaves will be produced, and the crown will be built 

 up higher, and the part that was so active in the spring will die. 

 If injurious insects and fungous diseases could be kept off and 

 half an inch of soil added each season, a plant might produce 

 an annual crop indefinitely. 



Instead of cutting the runners off, as we do in hill culture, 

 they may be allowed to grow and cover the ground with young 

 plants. This is the way most growers do. While the individual 

 plants are not very large, there are so many of them that they 

 bear a good crop. They, too, need attention after the bearing 

 season if another crop is to be taken. 



The Soil 



The soil furnishes anchorage for the roots of the plant and 

 a reservoir for food and moisture. So long as these objects are 

 accomplished, it makes almost no difference to the plant whether 

 the soil be light or heavy, sand or clay. The plant lives on the 

 food that it finds in solution between the particles of soil, and 

 not on the soil itself. The reason why one soil is better than 

 another is that it furnishes the needed food and moisture better. 

 " Rich, sandy loam " is said to be the best soil for the straw- 

 berry. The truth is that that is the ideal soil for almost any 

 crop. It holds fertility and moisture but is not easily puddled; 

 it becomes sufficiently compact without getting hard or lumpy; 

 and it admits air. These qualities are essential, and they can 



