37 



When a single layer of plants has been spread in the trench, 

 cover the roots with fine fresh soil, then another layer of plants, 

 and so on till all the plants of one variety are nicely covered. 

 The whole should then be firmly pressed down with the foot. 

 This is called " heeling in." Let the roots be so covered that 

 all air will be excluded, and each variety marked with a substan- 

 tial stake. Such plants are as safe as if set in the field per- 

 manently, and if not disturbed, will at once send out fibrous 

 roots, and push a fruit stock, flower, and grow all summer. It 

 may be well to throw a few evergreen boughs over such plants 

 for a few days when first heeled in, especially if the weather is 

 dry and windy. Plants treated in this manner have kept in the 

 best condition with me for several weeks, and I should prefer to 

 treat plants arriving in bad condition in this way rather than to 

 set them out at once. They very soon become well furnished 

 with working roots, and are in a condition to make a vigorous 

 growth. There need be no hurry. Get your land in good order, 

 and wait for a cool, lowery day. 



PLANTS BY MAIL. 



The best and cheapest way of ordering and filling small orders 

 is by mail. Four pounds can be sent in one package, any dis- 

 tance, at one cent an ounce. Such packages are likely to reach 

 their destination sooner than when sent b}* express, and if prop- 

 erly put up, will arrive in good order. 



For mailing, select plants of medium size, which are always 

 the best, and remove all but the centre leaves. Straighten 

 out the roots, and spread them upon a thin layer of moss ; cover 

 them with the moss, and roll all up together. This will bring 

 all the roots in contact with the moss, and prevent drying, or 

 the generation of heat and consequent decay. The package 

 should first be rolled up in oiled paper, with the leaves ex- 

 posed, with strong manilla paper outside, securely tied, and 

 plainly directed. Such a package is good for a journey of five 

 hundred miles. Failures almost always arise from too much 

 moisture. 



SHIPPING PLANTS. 



Strawberry plants, to be sent as freight or by express, should 

 be packed in boxes made with open slats on the top and sides. 



