21 



sure that the work is properly and faithfully done. The roots 

 will be crowded into the hole in a mass, sometimes with their 

 ends pointing up instead of down ; the plants will be set so 

 shallow that nearly half of the roots will be out of the ground, 

 or so deep that only the leaves can be seen, or, worst of all, so 

 loose that they are in danger of being blown out by the wind. I 

 speak of boys, but they are no worse than men. In fact, a man 

 is more intractable than a boy, just in proportion as his skull is 



Fig. 2. 



Fig. 3. 



thicker. Once more let me say to every boy and man : Set straw- 

 berry plants with their crowns just even with the surface of the 

 ground; spread their roots as much as possible, and press the soil 

 firmly over and around them. 



It is hoped that the illustrations here given will make the 

 matter perfectly plain. Fig. 2 represents a plant set too deep : 

 the crown will decay, and the plant 

 die. Fig. 3 shows a plant set so shal- 

 low that the roots are not fully covered. 

 They are left in a matted mass, and 

 unless the plant is re-set it will be 

 worthless. Fig. 4 represents a plant 

 that had its roots shortened, and prop- 

 erly spread when transplanted, and 

 gives a good illustration of how the 

 work should be done. 



In field culture I like the method of growing strawberries in 

 narrow rows in preference to matted rows, or, what is still 

 worse, matted beds. One objection to the matted row or bed 

 system is. that it is impossible to keep the grass and weeds sub- 



