STRA WBERRIES WA TERING THINNING. 3 ' 



are propped up with forked twigs of birch or hazel thrust into the ground through the 

 tile apertures. The fruit thus exposed ripens evenly all over, and the quality is superb. 

 Wires or crinolines answer well provided a mulch is also given. The fruit is also raised 

 from the ground with forked twigs without tiles. All the plans named, except the litter, 

 are only applicable to gardens or small cultures. In market gardens and fields clean 

 barley straw is used at the rate of about 1^ ton per acre, laid down about the first week 

 in June, earlier or later according to the season and variety. Clean long straw, all 

 points considered, is, perhaps, the best for keeping the fruit clean. 



Watering and Feeding. If, as the plants advance into flower, the weather prove 

 dry, they must receive a thorough watering. Liquid manure, not too strong, may be 

 given at that time, and again after the fruit has set, repeating after it is half 

 swelled. If the mulching has been applied it must be drawn aside when the liquid is 

 applied, or it will be spoiled as a bed for the fruit. Water may be required twice a 

 week when the fruit is swelling, and on light soils every alternate day. Only thorough 

 soakings are serviceable ; driblets do little good. In a dry hot season neglected 

 strawberry plantations are almost valueless ; with mulching and proper supplies of water 

 they are profitable. 



Thinning the Crop. In ordinary practice the first fruits are the largest, those 

 from subsequent gatherings diminishing in size. The finest strawberries are used for 

 dessert or sent to market, whilst the small are utilised in the kitchen or jam manufactory. 

 When it is desired to have large fruits, sturdy plants of the previous July planting will 

 give them as no others do. Select the strongest flower trusses, leaving sufficient only to 

 afford nine to twelve fruits per plant, cutting the others away, and eventually remove 

 all the smaller secondary flowers as soon as those chosen for the crop are set. These 

 fruits will swell to a good even size. If very large specimens are wanted for exhibition, 

 only the " king " fruit on each peduncle should be retained. The lowest blossoms are 

 always the strongest, and these give the earliest and finest fruits. In wet weather each 

 plant should be covered with a hand-light resting on a brick at each corner, a current 

 of air being necessary to keep the fruit from spotting. 



Protecting the Fruits. Blackbirds and thrushes attack strawberries directly the 

 fruits change colour. Eepaired herring nets supported well above the plants foil 

 the birds. This is readily done by driving stakes at about 6 feet apart up every second 

 or third row, the stakes being 3 feet out of the ground, and putting tarred string 

 from each crosswise, as well as in the line of stakes, for holding the nets, which 



