244 TRUCK-FARMING AT THE SOUTH. 



the spots for the insertion of the plants. The wheel is 

 fixed between handles like that of a seed-drill, and has 

 an upright stick in front, which is lined to a set of 

 poles like those used for laying off trenches with the 

 plow. The plants are put out from twelve to eighteen 

 inches apart in the row, and the knobs and wheel are 

 arranged accordingly. 



The planting for the continuous row is the same. The 

 difference between the two results from subsequent cul- 

 ture. The advantages of this method, compared with 

 the matted bed are, that the berries will be larger, the 

 cultivation may be partly with the cultivator, and there 

 will be less cutting of vines to be done. 



If the matted-bed system is contemplated, slightly ele- 

 vated beds four feet wide, with intervening paths eight- 

 teen inches wide, which act as auxiliary drains, are 

 thrown up by the plow. On these, after they have been 

 raked off, three rows are put out, eighteen inches apart, 

 one running down the centre of the bed, the plants 

 twelve to eighteen inches from each other. The advan- 

 tages that may be claimed for this method are, the 

 greater number of bearing plants; the fact that after 

 the first year few or no runners will be produced on the 

 top of the bed; that the close growth tends to keep 

 down weeds, and that the soil will not be compacted, and 

 its porosity destroyed by the trampling of the pickers, 

 who gather the fruit. 



SETTING OUT THE PLANTS. 



Strong, well-rooted plants of the same season's 

 growth, only, should be used for setting out. Long 

 straggling roots may be shortened to suit the general 

 length and that of the dibble or trowel. The latter is 

 to be preferred for planting, as the roots will be spread 

 out, instead of being crowded together in the narrow 

 hole of the dibble. If the plants have been procured 



