JUNE] THE ORCHARD. 403 



rub off all fore-right or ill placed shoots, and train others regularly 

 at proper distances : be not too officious with the knife at this sea- 

 son, nor pull off any of the leaves from the branches, unless they 

 are distempered ; for the pulling off the leaves will expose the fruit 

 too much to the sun, and thereby greatly check their growth ; be- 

 sides it would greatly injure the buds which are formed at the foot- 

 stalks of those leaves. For further particulars, respecting fruit- 

 trees, see the Fruit-Garden for May, which, are generally applica- 

 ble in this month. 



Strawberries. 



The ^ strawberry plants in general will, early in the month, be 

 coming into full bearing, and if watered occasionly between the 

 rows as directed in page 378, it will swell the fruit to a 4 much larger 

 size, and greatly encourage the bloom and setting of an abundant 

 crop. 



Should the weather prove moist or cloudy, this will be a very 

 proper season, to make new plantations of the various kinds of 

 strawberries ; observing the method directed in page 215. But it 

 would be more advisable, at this time, to plant some of the best 

 runner-plants of this year's production, into nursery beds in shady 

 borders, six inches asunder, there to remain and get strength till 

 September or October, and then to plant them with balls of earth 

 where they are to stand for fruiting. Frequent waterings will now 

 be very necessary for the young plantations. 



Be particular in selecting the best kinds, and of the stoutest and 

 most vigorous growth ; dress or trim their roots, and cut off all the 

 strings or runners, previous to planting. 



Though it is not common to propagate strawberries at this sea- 

 son, yet if done, and duly watered till they are well rooted, the 

 plants will be stronger, and bear much more abundantly next season, 

 than if deferred till September, or October ; but if the weather should 

 not happen to be peculiarly favourable, I would advise them to be 

 planted for the present, in nursery beds, in a shady border, as before 

 observed; taking good care to water them frequently till well 

 rooted. 



You may, however, any time this month, plant out some of the 

 young runner-plants of the Alpine or prolific strawberry, and if 

 shaded and watered till they have taken fresh root, they will soon 

 bear fruit on the present plants, and in August and September, on 

 the runners produced in the intermediate time. 



THE ORCHARD. 



AT this time there is very little to be done in the Orchard, 

 but a repetition of what was recommended in page 379, to^ which I 

 refer you. 



