CORN AND BEANS, ETC. 337 



blossom, adds to their vigor greatly ; but as 

 soon as the fruit commences to form, the roots 

 should be in no way disturbed, but another and 

 entirely different course adopted, which, prob- 

 ably carried out, often works wonders. I refer 

 to judicious mulching. 



Say that the soil between the rows is light, 

 and free of weeds, as it ought to be. Then 

 after the first rain, when the ground has been 



V 



well moistened, cover the intervening spaces 

 between the plants thickly and closely with 

 leaves, or better still, fresh grass just cut from 

 the lawn. Only unparalleled drouth will 

 greatly injure the bed so treated. The berries 

 will be much larger and finer, and the plants 

 continue longer in bearing. Moreover, the fruit 

 will be perfectly clean, and will need no washing 

 for the table ; a process that rob's it of flavor 

 and beauty. For these reasons, it is far better 

 to keep the plants in straight rows, as the 



