THE STRAWBERRY. 165 



We have found the early spring to be the best time for set- 

 ting strawberry plants. When but a small bed is to be planted, 

 and the plants are near at hand, they may be set at any time by 

 taking suitable pains, and selecting suitable weather ; but when 

 any large quantity is to be planted, there is danger that there 

 will be a great many failures in fall planting, unless the weather 

 is unusually favorable in September. If set later than Septem- 

 ber, there is great danger that the plants wiU not become sufiS.- 

 ciently rooted before winter sets in to enable them to pass that 

 trying season safely. In those parts of the coimtry where the 

 snow does not lie on the ground all winter, and consequently can 

 not to be relied upon as a protection to the plants, it is very 

 desirable that they should be lightly covered with branches of 

 evergreens, leaves, or straw. This protects the crowns of the 

 plants, in which the fruit buds are enveloped, from the frequent 

 alternate freezing and thawing to which they might be otherwise 

 subjected, and which often kills the fruit buds before spring. 



The best plants for setting out are strong, well-rooted run- 

 ners. Theorists would have us beheve that the first plant that 

 forms on each runner is better and more productive than the 

 subsequent plants on the same runner ; but this is mere theory, 

 without foundation in fact. Provided the plants be well rooted, 

 the last one on the runner is as good and as productive as the 

 first, under the same treatment. In field culture it is found con- 

 venient to set the plants in, rows, three feet apart, so that they 

 may be tilled with a horse and cultivator, and the plants one 

 foot apart in the row. These should be carefully tilled with 

 cidtivator and hoe during the first season, and until the berries 

 are beginning to swell in the second. After the fruit has been 

 gathered, the ground should be mellowed up, the weeds destroyed, 

 and the plantation tilled until the fruit begins again to swell in 

 the third season. This crop of fruit should be the last, and aft^r 

 it is gathered the plantation should be ploughed up and devoted 

 to some other crops for a few years before strawberries are agaia 

 planted 



