FRUITS 



53 



be kept from green fly, fumigating at once if there 

 are any signs of these pests. 



The best month in the year for planting new 

 strawberry beds is April. 



The great thing is to trench deeply and manure 

 liberally, taking care to provide free drainage, and 

 make the soil firm. The plants should have as 

 much room as possible, and the runners from fruitful 

 plants only should be used. A change of stock 

 often does much good. 



Strawberries should be gathered with short 

 stems attached, and those intended for dessert 

 should be gathered in the early morning, or late in 

 the day when it is cool, as the fruit is then so much 

 fresher and, after picking, keeps longer. 



In layering the runners those nearest the plant 

 should be marked, to save as the best. When these 

 runners have taken root, they may either remain 

 where they are till autumn, or they may at once be 

 taken up and planted in rows in the nursery five or 

 six inches apart ; or if they are taken up and planted 

 out they will make fine, large, well -rooted plants 

 for fruit-bearing the next season. 



RECIPES 

 Strawberry Custard Souffle 



Place a large cupful of milk in a double boiler over the 

 fire ; when hot add two tablespoonfuls of flour and four of 

 butter, well rubbed together ; stir until well mixed — perhaps 

 five or six minutes. Beat the yolks of four eggs with a small 

 half-cupful of sugar ; add these to the hot milk ; stir one 

 minute, and remove from the fire to cool. When cold add 



