148 MODERN STRAWBERRY GROWING 



be kept from direct contact with the plants, 

 I cover the beds with a light covering of 

 meadow hay or rye straw. The common 

 mistake is to use too much of this; just a light 

 covering is all that is required. Over this lay 

 some pea brush to keep it from blowing away." 



THE SPRING-PLANTED BED 



The general routine of management of the 

 strawberry bed has been well described by 

 another successful cultivator (Mr. W. H. 

 Jenkins) thus: 



" It is of the greatest importance that the 

 new strawberry bed for fruiting next year 

 (and which was set in spring) be kept free 

 from weeds. Begin cultivation before the 

 weeds appear. Do not wait for the ground to 

 bake hard, but start the cultivator while the 

 soil is mellow. A garden wheel hoe, with 

 large wheels, having such attachments as 

 ploughs, rakes, cultivators, teeth, etc., is the 

 best tool to use. For the first cultivation 

 put on the ploughs and run the wheel hoe 

 both ways between the rows of plants, which 

 should be at least two feet apart each way 

 and in check rows. Cut the soil quite deeply 

 between the rows each way to aerate and 



