STRAWBERRIES FOR THE HOME 1 59 



growing sorts. Potash heightens the colour 

 of the fruit, and generally adds to its flavour. 

 Wood ashes is the best means of supplying 

 potash. A light dressing of Peruvian guano 

 is a good general-purpose fertilizer. 



^'For a complete fertilizer for strawberries, 

 nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash in the 

 ratio of 3, 7, and 9 per cent, is recommended, 

 or nitrate of soda, 150 pounds, bone meal, 550 

 pounds, wood ashes, 1,400 pounds to the acre. 



"The matted-row system involves less 

 labour than hills, gives a great yield of ber- 

 ries, without the fine development of the hill 

 system. The plants are set two feet apart, 

 with five feet between the rows. The run- 

 ners are allowed to cover the ground, being 

 assisted in proper distribution by being 

 placed in the vacancies by hand. These 

 plants cover one or two feet in width, the 

 remaining space between the rows being well 

 cultivated. Where plants are set too thickly 

 they are removed with a pointed hoe. The 

 next season before fruiting the ground be- 

 tween the rows should be well mulched with 

 litter. 



"With either system it is well to cover the 

 plants lightly with stable litter early in 



