Strawberry 



able material. But we must warn the beginner in Strawberry culture 

 against grass mowings as more or less objectionable. They some- 

 times answer perfectly, and at other times they erie^uSttge slugs and 

 snails to spoil the crop, and if partially rotted by wet weather com- 

 municate to the fruit a bad flavour. There is a very simple means 

 of feeding the crop and making a clean bed for the fruit. It consists 

 in putting on a good coat of long, strong manure in February, and 

 in doing this it is no great harm if the plants are in some degree 

 covered. They will soon push up and show themselves, and by the 

 time the fruit appears the straw will be washed clean, and the crop 

 being thus aided will be a great one, weather permitting. As regards 

 cutting off the leaves, we advise the removal of old large leaves as 

 soon as the crop is gathered. But this should be done with a knife ; 

 to use a scythe amongst Strawberries is to ruin the plantation. The 

 object of removing old leaves is to admit light and air to the 

 young leaves, for on the free growth of these the formation of 

 good crowns for the next year's use depends. By encouraging 

 the young leaves to grow, root action is promoted, and the embryo 

 buds are formed that will, in the next summer, develop into 

 Strawberries. 



Some gardeners recommend the removal of the Strawberry 

 plantation every three years. It is a better plan to make a small 

 plantation annually, and at the same time destroy an old plantation 

 that has served its turn. But we are bound to say that Strawberry 

 plantations, well made and well kept, will often last and prove profit- 

 able for six or even more years. But this will never be the case 

 where there is a stint of manure or water, or where the runners are 

 allowed to run in their own way to make a Strawberry mat and a jam 

 of the wrong sort. The Strawberry fancier does not wish to keep a 

 plantation any great length of time, and he must plant annually to 

 taste the new sorts. This to many people is one of the chief delights 

 of the garden, and it certainly has its attractions. 



Forced Strawberries. The high price realised on the market 

 for the earliest supply of forced Strawberries is a sufficient proof that 

 society is prepared to pay handsomely for this refreshing luxury. As 

 the season advances and competition becomes keen the figure rapidly 

 declines, but * Strawberries at a guinea an ounce ' has more than once 

 appeared as a sensational head-line in the daily press. 



The fruiting of Strawberries in pots is part of the annual routine 

 of nearly all large establishments, but even with the most perfect 

 appliances it must be admitted that to produce berries which win 



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