OCT.] THZ ORCHARD. 551 



DRESSING THE STRAWBERRY BEDS, AND MAKING NEW PLANTA- 

 TIONS. 



The old beds of strawberries should some time in this month have 

 their winter dressing, in doing of which, they should be cleaned from 

 weeds, and the vines or runners taken off close to the plants ; then 

 if there be room between the plants by having been kept to distinct 

 heads or single bunches, which is certainly the most preferable 

 method, loosen the earth to a moderate depth with a small spade or 

 hoe, observing not to disturb the roots. And if the plants are in 

 beds with alleys between, line out the alleys and let them be dug a 

 moderate depth, breaking the earth very fine and spreading a suffici- 

 ency of it over the beds between and around the roots of the plants, 

 being careful not to bury their tops. A slight top dressihg of well 

 rotted dung may sometimes be necessary. This dressing will prove 

 very beneficial, and promote strength and a plentiful crop the ensuing 

 season. 



When it was omitted last month, new plantations of strawberries 

 may now be made, but the earlier in the month the better, that the 

 plants may have time to establish new roots before winter. (For full 

 instructions on that head see page 506.) 



PRESERVING STONES AND KERNELS OF FRUITS. 



Preserve in damp earth or sand, the stones of the various kinds of 

 fruit you intend to sow for stocks, &c., and let "apple, pear, and 

 quince kernels be preserved in dry sand till you wish to sow them. 

 Observe not to place them in the way of mice, rats, or squirrels, 

 which would immediately destroy them ; and when sown, every pre- 

 caution must be taken to preserve them from these animals. 



THE ORCHARD. 



Winter pears and apples should generally be gathered this month; 

 some will be fit for pulling in the early part, others not before the 

 middle or latter end thereof. 



To know when the fruits have had their full growth, you should 

 try several of them in different parts of the trees, by turning them 

 gently one way or the other ; if they quit the tree easily, it is a sign 

 of maturity and time to gather them. 



But none of the more delicate eating pears should be suffered to 

 remain on the trees till overtaken by frost, for if they are once 

 touched with it, it will occasion many of them to rot in a very short 

 time. Indeed, it would be needless, even wrong, to suffer either 

 apples or pears to remain on the trees after the least appearance of 

 ice upon the water, as they would be subject to much injury, and 

 receive no possible kind of benefit afterwards. 



