STRAWBERRY. 253 



Some large growers have used a transplanting machine 

 such as is commonly used for tobacco for setting strawberry 

 plants, but the ordinary transplanter requires much care to 

 prevent its setting the plants too deep and burying the crowns. 

 Do not set the plants deeper than they grew in the bed from 

 which they were moved. 



Winter protection. Under whatever system the strawberry 

 may be grown, it is benefitted by being protected in winter by 

 a mulch of sufficient thickness to prevent frequent freezing and 

 thawing, which is very injurious to the plants. Of course a cov- 

 ering of snow will answer the purpose, but it is not safe to trust 

 it. The mulch should consist of marsh hay, corn stalks, straw, 

 boughs, or any litter that does not lie too close and is free from 

 weed seeds. It should ordinarily be put on about three inches 

 deep over the whole of the strawberry bed. This should be ap- 

 plied in late autumn or early winter, after the ground is frozen, 

 but some good growers think that a part of the covering at least 

 ought to be put on before any severe freezing sets in, while 

 others wait until the ground is frozen hard enough to bear up a 

 team before covering. In spring the mulch should be taken off 

 and put in the intervals between the plants where it will help to 

 preserve the moisture during dry weather and to keep the fruit 

 clean. 



In winters when there is not much snow fall but severely 

 cold weather, it is important to cover strawberry plants much 

 deeper than is customary in the Eastern and Central states. 

 Eight inches of settled straw is generally none too much where 

 the winters are cold and dry with little snow-fall; and where 

 straw is very abundant, as is the case where grain growing is 

 largely practiced, it is a good plan to use as much as this every 

 year. This is especially true in western Minnesota, the Dakotas 

 and Wyoming where a heavy covering will often make all the 

 difference between success and failure. However, where a heavy 

 covering is used, it is important to set the plants in rows at 

 least six feet apart, so that there will be room between 

 the rows for the straw when the plants are uncovered. It is then 

 very convenient for replacing over the plants if a very cold spell 

 comes when the ^flowers are open. The use of straw as here 



