148 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



the cultivation the first two months may be largely done 

 with the cultivator or harrow, using the hoe between the 

 plants in the row. As the plants commence making growth 

 they will throw up more or less flower-stalks and would bear 

 some fruit, but as this would be at the expense of the vigor 

 of the plants before they become fairly established, it is 

 better when going over the ground with the hoe to nip out 

 flower-stalks as they appear, giving all the strength to the 

 plants for the after-growth of the runners. When the run- 

 ners commence to grow, on some of the plants, if allowed to 

 take their own course, they will distribute themselves une- 

 qually l)y growing out upon one side of the plant, but by 

 changing a portion of them to the opposite side, before they 

 commence making roots, the ground will be evenly covered ; 

 they will continue to grow and make new plants until late in 

 the season, but they should not be allowed to run together 

 from the rows. A space of one foot should be kept clear 

 in the middle between the rows ; this may be done by cut- 

 ting ofi" the runners or turning them back, if there are any 

 vacant spaces to be filled. 



When it is desirable to economize space, as is the case 

 near the larger markets where land is more valuable, a 

 crop of early vegetables may be grown between the rows. 

 Lettuce, early beets, onion sets, and some others, will make 

 their growth and be ready for market before the runners 

 will commence making their growth, and the cultivation of 

 the vegetables will keep the ground clear of weeds ; but 

 where this is practiced an extra amount of fertilizer will 

 be required. 



A plan often practised by those who grow fruit for exhibi- 

 tion or an extra quality for market or the table, is to set 

 the plants in August, or as soon as strong runners can be 

 secured, in rows two feet apart and one foot apart in the 

 row ; they will make strong plants but comparatively few 

 runners, giving a more open exposure to the sun and air, and 

 will produce the finest quality of fruit. The following sea- 

 son these plants will commence throwing out runners earlier 

 than spring-set plants, and if, after the fruit is picked, every 

 other row is taken out and the ground between the remain- 

 ing rows properly enriched, they will soon make an evenly- 



