848 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



proceeding a generous amount of the finest farmyard manure 

 obtainable must be thoroughly incorporated with the soil. 



The evening before it is intended to se out the new plants the 

 soil should be well soaked with water, if the weather has been at 

 all dry and hot, for it is obvious that the young growing roots will 

 fail immediately if they are transferred to parched ground. 



The plants should be set in rows from eighteen inches to two feet 

 asunder. The planting had better be done with a trowel or a 

 hand-fork, so that a hole of sufficient size can be made to allow of 

 the spreading out of the roots to their fullest extent. This plan is 

 much better than that involved in the use of the dibbler, since in 

 the latter case a slender hole is the result, and the roots are bound 

 to be cramped. 



The life of a strawberry bed in full bearing is about four years. 

 At the end of this time the position should be changed and a 

 new bed be formed. If there is room it is an excellent plan to add 

 a few new rows each season. 



After the new plants have become well rooted they will require 

 regular cultural attention. For instance, a sharp watch must be 

 kept for the appearance of weeds. These will have to be eradi- 

 cated ruthlessly, for it is obvious that if they be allowed to establish 

 themselves in the beds they will rob the young plants of their 

 proper share of food, light and air 



Plants that are got into position early will inevitably throw out 

 runners towards early autumn, and as these are not required for 

 the production of fruit until the following season they must be 

 removed promptly. While it is true that strawberries thrive well 

 in a firm root-run, it is a mistake to allow the surface to become 

 caked over and hard. Therefore the hoe should be brought into 

 frequent use to keep the top loose and open. Care will, however, 

 be necessary in using the hoe to see that it is not plunged too 

 deeply into the ground, to the injury of the roots. The hoeing 

 will also help to maintain the soil in a moist condition, but if it 

 becomes too dry, as the result of hot weather, water must be 

 supplied in generous quantities. When spring arrives the plants 

 will require some fresh stimulus, and this can best be supplied by 



