2l6 



FUNDAMENTALS OF AGRICULTURE. 



A FIELD OF COMMERCIAL STRAWBERRIES. 



greater variety of soils than any other fruits, is com- 

 paratively free from insects and diseases, and pro- 

 duces an abundant crop under ordinary care. These 

 favorable points of the strawberry have placed it as 

 a commercial fruit second only to the apple. 



How Planted. In starting a bed of strawberries 

 only young plants should be selected. These should 

 be planted in the Northern States, early in the spring, 

 but in the Southern States fall planting is most advis- 

 able, as it gives the plants time to become established 

 before the hot, dry season overtakes them. The 

 plants are generally set 18 inches apart in a row, and 

 the rows a distance of 3 or 4 feet apart. This allows 

 plenty of room for the plants to spread, and also for 

 cultivation. In the home garden they may be planted 

 closer. During the growing season they should be 

 frequently cultivated, being careful, however, not to 

 cultivate very deep as the plants are quite shallow 

 rooted. In most of the Northern States and in many 



