The Strawberry Book. 25 



the spring, but the laborers go along the rows of hills 

 early in the season and poke away enough of the mulch 

 to expose the crown of the plant, which soon begins to 

 grow. This operation has to be repeated several times to 

 make sure that the plants are not smothered, and that no 

 weeds are coming up around the vines. The hay, which 

 remains on till the fruit is picked, keeps the weeds down 

 and the ground moist. It is taken off with a horse-rake, 

 and returned in the fall, after the ground has been well 

 cultivated and kept clean through the summer months. 



As to the absolute value of the different methods of 

 cultivation no fixed rule can be given. Certain varieties, 

 like the Hovey, cannot be grown in hills. Some, or per- 

 haps most, foreign kinds, with high crowns, do not do 

 well in matted beds. Some kinds, like the Wilson, make 

 the best of circumstances, and get along pretty well under 

 any system. Those who grow strawberries on the annual 

 plan insist that the first crop from a bed which with 

 them is the only one is better than the second, and much 

 better than the third ; but a most successful grower of my 

 acquaintance, who mows off the leaves, weeds, and ma- 

 nures as soon as the fruit is picked, took off a third crop 

 of Wilson's last year which he thought was rather better 

 than the first, and he thinks his plants will make a good 

 return the present season. 



Strawberry growers who wish to make a pretty display 

 of a few hills sometimes make use of what is called the 

 strawberry crinoline, a neat little wire frame, which is 

 opened and sprung together around the plant, and holds 

 up leaves, fruit, and all, so that they cannot touch the soil 

 or get defaced. 



Tiles are made of flower-pot material for the same pur- 

 pose. Two of them make a square, with a hole in the 

 centre large enough for the collar of the plant. Being 

 pushed up one on each side till they meet, they serve as a 

 mulch, and prevent the fruit from getting dirty. 



