CHAPTER XVIIl. 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURE. 



HE STEAWBERRY is the most delicious and Av.dely 

 ,.. cultivated of the small fruits, and is uot only desir- 

 /^/■/j able in every garden, but can be profitably raised for 

 ^^ market in the vicinity of every village, borough, or 

 city. It flourishes naturally on a sandy loam, but any soil may 

 be made suitable for it. Muck and peat mixed with a clay soil 

 and enriched with manure, will make a good soil for most 

 varieties. The soil, whatever it is, should be deeply trenched 

 and manured liberally. The roots of the strawborr}' are fine, 

 and the soil should be thoroughly pulverized and the manure 

 mingled with the soil. The same manures and composts, 

 recommended for other crops are required for this, and should 

 be applied without stint. 



North of New York, we think spring planting is to be pre- 

 ferred, but where fall planting will succeed, it is better. The 

 time to plant is just after the crop is gathered. If the plants 

 are to be immediately replanted, and a portion of the earth re- 

 moved with them, the work can be done in the fall. When 

 plants are taken up in the spring, the dead leaves should be re- 

 moved. Where the roots are bared, it is well to clip olT one- 

 half their length with the shears before replanting. It is also 

 well to puddle the roots in such cases. This is done by mixing 



earth and water, and dipping in the roots. When the earth is 



(ii).". 



