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weeds, which, previous to the fruiting season at any rate, must never be 

 allowed to make much headway. They should be kept down by frequent 

 light stirring-; of the surface soil, taking care to disturb the Strawberry roots 

 as little as possible. As soon as the fruit begins,,to swell the ground betw r een 

 the plants should be covered with short grass, fine straw, or other suitable 

 material, in order to keep the berries clean. This covering will also act 

 as a mulching, checking rapid evaporation, and preventing the surface soil 

 from caking from the effects of the sun and drying winds. Should the 

 weather be dry A\hen the fruit is forming it will be advisable to water the 

 plants when 'practicable. Water under such conditions is very serviceable, 

 and its command will give cultivators a great advantage. Watering, 

 however, should always be done thoroughly, and o-rowers must remember 

 that one good soaking is better than a dozen light sprinklings. Strawberrv 

 plants at the fruiting period will take up a considerable quantity of water 

 with advantage, but it should not be supplied too freely so as to sodden 

 the ground. 



Removal of Jtunnfir*. All runners should be removed previous to the 

 fruiting season as soon as they make their appearance, and for this 

 purpose the beds must be looked over frequently. If the runners are 

 allowed to remain it is at the expense of the fruiting power of the plants. 

 Even after the fruiting season it is advisable to remove the runners unless 

 young plants are required, though it is not so essential as before the crop 

 is produced. When treated in this way some kinds will often produce a 

 good second, or autumn, crop. The writer has frequently had this 

 experience, and more especially with that excellent and well-known 

 variety, Troll ope s Victoria. 



Manuring. Strawberries are very strong-feeding plants, and require 

 plenty of nourishment to bring the crops to perfection. In preparing the 

 ground well-rotted manure should be used freely, and bone-dust may be 

 employed with advantage in strong soils. The following winter the beds 

 should receive another good dressing, working it in lightly and disturbing 

 the roots as little as possible. Strawberries remove from the soil soda 

 and potash in very large proportions ; consequently, fertilizers rich in 

 these materials are very serviceable manures. Wood ashes may be used 

 freely with advantage both in heavy and light soils. Seaweed is also an 

 excellent manure owing to the large amount of potash in it, and should 

 be used freely in localities where it can be readily obtained. Super- 

 phosphate, guano, poudrette, and other concentrated manures may be used 

 with advantage t<> a moderate extent, but in excess they are liable to 

 injure the plants. Rich black soils containing large proportions of 

 vegetable matter from swamps are of great manurial value for land 

 intended for Strawberries, and more especially light loamy or sandy 

 ground. This material should be spread over the surface arid allowed to 

 lie for a few weeks before the ground is broken up. Liquid manure may 

 be used with great advantage to Strawberry plants after the flowers make 

 their appearance, but at an earlier stage of growth it stimulates the leaves 

 more than the fruit. This valuable manure should be invariably used 

 when practicable, taking care not to wet the foliage or fruit in applying 

 it. 



