146 MODERN STRAWBERRY GROWING 



twisting it. Always set the plants so that 

 they will be about the same height above 

 the ground as they were in the pot. Firm 

 the soil around each plant with the hand and 

 then go over the bed, treading down the soil 

 with the feet. Keep all runners removed. 



Artificial watering must at times be re- 

 sorted to, particularly after setting the 

 plants. Give the soil a thorough drenching 

 and the following day, when the surface has 

 dried sufficiently, give deep cultivation. 

 The practice of one successful berry garden 

 on Long Island is given thus by Mr. W. C. 

 McCollom: 



"Every year I plant ten rows of berries 

 ICMD feet long — about 1,000 plants — and by 

 placing the new plantings alongside of the old 

 beds, they can be worked more economically. 

 I always have three beds in bearing. I throw 

 out a bed after it has produced a crop for 

 three years; after a bed has been in use for 

 two years I let the first runners root, so that 

 the oldest bed gives me the largest quantity 

 of berries, although they are not quite of the 

 same high quality as those produced by the 

 two newer beds. A bed of this size is suf- 

 ficient for a family of twelve; four people 



