230 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



may not be necessary in the autumn arid spring. In summer planting, watering is 

 imperative, as the plants must be kept growing. If the soil is dry it should be well 

 moistened before planting. It is an excellent plan to invert flower-pots over the plants 

 in hot sunny weather, tilting them on the north side with a stone, removing the pots at 

 night and altogether when the plants become well established. 



Fresh ground should always be chosen for new plantations, and if a portion of the old 

 plants are destroyed yearly, and a corresponding number of young plants established, a 

 full supply of the best fruit will be secured. 



EOUTINE WORK. 



Summer Treatment. July or early August set plants should have all runners cut off 

 as soon as perceived, and the Dutch hoe employed, both to destroy weeds and keep 

 the surface open. By the end of the season the plants will be sturdy, with well-formed 

 crowns. On the eve of winter apply a top-dressing of short, dry, open manure, placing 

 it up to the plants, but not upon the leaves. Avoid heavy coatings of soapy manure, 

 for they have little protective value. The manure should contain straw, which after 

 being well washed by the winter's rains forms a clean bed for the fruit to lie on. Give 

 water copiously in dry weather, not allowing the roots to become dry from the flowering 

 time until the fruit has swelled. This practice can only be well carried out in gardens. 

 In large plantations, and especially when the plants are not sturdy and well rooted, it 

 is desirable to pick off all the flower trusses, also the runners as soon as they have 

 formed a bud or joint. The plants form strong crowns by this method, and they are 

 rendered stout by manuring when the runner propensity is spent in August or 

 September. 



Second or Fruiting Season. First runners from young fruitful plants put out as soon 

 as well rooted in pots or turves form a bold crown and some side buds by the close of the 

 summer, and afford large fruit the following season. Plants set in the autumn or spring 

 require a season's growth, and give a full crop of medium-sized fruit the second year. 

 About the time the flower scapes appear, a mulching of stable litter the strawy portion 

 separated from the fine should be given, 2 inches thick. In light soils it is advisable 

 to use the finer particles as well as the strawy portion of the litter. If not washed clean, 

 by rains add a little fresh straw. 



Other methods of keeping the fruit clean have been devised, such as perforated tiles, 

 with 1-inch openings, which neither deprive the soil of air or rain. The fruit trusses 



