STRAWBERRIES FOR THE HOME I47 



could be plentifully supplied from 400 plants 

 set out each year, which would give 1,200 

 bearing plants at the end of three years. 



"I believe it is a good plan for every gar- 

 dener to have a few bell glasses to place over 

 some of the largest plants, so that they can 

 be forced to provide a few berries two or 

 three weeks earlier than the regular crop. 



*'A great deal depends upon the proper 

 care of the strawberry bed. Cultivate it 

 frequently, keep the runners removed, and 

 in extremely dry weather water it thoroughly. 



*'As to varieties, I would advise growing 

 such varieties as have proved successful in 

 your locality. Try some of the more promis- 

 ing of the new ones, if you like, but for the 

 greater part of your bed use the same varie- 

 ties that your neighbour is successfully 

 growing. 



" Mulch the bed in fall, but wait until the 

 soil has frozen a little. This prevents the 

 constant freezing and thawing, and if you 

 use a good quality of manure it prevents the 

 bed from running down and producing poor 

 berries. In spring I turn the mulch right 

 under between the plants. 



" After applying the mulch, which should 



