128 ■ 



without them because your laud is not fit. Grow some for 

 liome use on such land as you have. If growing them ex- 

 tensively select good corn land, well drained auci not in a 

 frosty location. Somewhat stony land is no objection except 

 as to extra labor and perhaps all fruit is of better keeping 

 quality and flavor on such land. Newly reclaimed land is 

 of the best even before all the stumps and stones are cleared. 

 Always remember that it must be free from sod to be clear 

 of white grubs as it is useless to set plants where they are 

 plenty. Ground should be well prepared, very deeply 

 plowed, for strawberries have long roots and will nold for a 

 longer season in deep soil. 



1 seldom use much fertilizer or manure, but choose land 

 that has been well enriched for previous crops. 



' The last smoothing of the bed I do with a brush harrow- 

 made of birch brush. The head pieces of plank, 8 feet long 

 with a narrow one inch piece nailed on back edge of top. 

 lake small birch tops 2 inches in diameter and 12 to 15 feet 

 long, nailing to top of front i)]anks and the inch piece makes 

 it tip uj) a little so as to be a good levt'lei". Tlie second cross 

 piece may he a Avider jilank on top of birch which are nailed 

 on the ntul<M- side and about 8 feet back. This plank should 

 be 9 feet long causing the liat'k end to spread so as to smooth 

 the ground under small ti-ees without bruising them. An- 

 other 10 ft. piece )nay be nailed oji the to]) 6 feet back. 

 Driver stands on second cross i)iece and urives across the 

 piece for the last smoothing so that it will mark more plain- 

 ly' for the rows. .My berry ground, being generally among 

 trees 20 feet each way. this haii-ow covtn-s it at tAvo trips 

 between trees. This harrow is very qui(d<ly and cheaply 

 made; l)rush must be renewed each year, and it will beat out 

 the mostly costly tool in the market for good work and sav- 

 ing of time and without damaging trees. 



It is very desirable to have roAvs straight and true as it 

 helps in cultivating close to the plants. I made a marker 

 from an old AvheelbarroAv frame by fastening three blocks 

 •on the Avheel at equal distances ai)art so that it makes a good 



