MARKING AND PLANTING 21 



ator in planting does not touch it. Many- 

 times, however, the operator varies the line 

 by pushing the trowel or spade against it 

 until the planted rows bow out when the 

 line is released. 



On small beds, where the plants are set 

 one foot apart, a small hand marker, some- 

 what similar to the large marker previously 

 described, can be used quite successfully, 

 providing the operator has something like 

 the garden line to go by. If this bed is to be 

 check rowed, the same tool can be used, 

 or if the planter has a sure eye for distances 

 the plants can be set without cross marking. 



One of the most common methods of 

 marking out a bed is that of ploughing fur- 

 rows four to six inches deep where the rows 

 of strawberries are to be, the plants being 

 set on the land side of the furrow. 



Some of the objections to this method are: 



1. Inability to make straight rows. 



2. Breaks up the level bed, making it 

 rough. 



3. Not an intensive method. 



4. Labour of filling in furrow. 



5. Plants liable to dry out. 



6. Hard to place plants at the best depth. 



