THE STRAWBERRY. 129 



ed the variety of objects on which the man of the country whose dealing is with 

 the soil, and whose business is with Nature, may beguile his time, while he 

 ienejits, instead of slaughters, his fellow-creatures ! diffusing blessings instead 

 of spreading misery around him ! 



Ticondcroga, Lake Champlain, 8lh Aug. 1846. j 



THE STRAWBERRY. 



MANAGEMKNT WITH A VIEW TO IT3 IMPROVEMENT. 



Within a short period the cultivation of various kinds of fruits has beea 

 crowned with success. Tlie apple, pear and peach have each greatly improved ; 

 but the strawberry, one of the most fragrant and delicious of fruits, has been 

 surprisingly neglected, owing, perhaps, to the impression of its not being capa- 

 ble of melioration. Now, I have ascertained by actual experiment that it is sus- 

 ceptible of a high degree of improvement, which fact can be verified by carrying 

 out the plan detailed below. 



It will be necessary in the first place to procure the following implements : a 

 small hand-fork with four prongs or teeth, similar in length and shape to those 

 of the common carving-fork ; a long-handled fork like the dung-fork in use for- 

 merly, the teeth 4 or 5 in number. Hat, I of an inch broad, and 12 or 14 inches 

 long ; to which I shall add another of great value, in this dry climate, to those 

 who cultivate on a large scale, whether agriculturists or horticulturists: it is a 

 cultivator with 4 or 5 teeth, 18 or 20 inches long, 2\ inches wide, | of an inch. 

 thick in front, tapering back to \ an inch, set in somewhat like a coulter, but the 

 thick edge foremost, the point triangular, spreading about 3 inches. The proper 

 use of it in dry seasons will secure a good crop of potatoes where they have not 

 been ridged up; in the kitchen garden it is invaluable, and a great labor-saving 

 machine; by removing two or three teeih it maybe passed through narrow 

 rows, close to the plants, and when properly applied will break up and open the 

 soil to tue depth of 12 or 14 inches. 



The prominent points of the system now proposed are few and simple, viz.: 

 choice of soil and preparation for planting ; selection of the best fruit-bearing 

 plants, and method of treatment, especially with a view to the steady improve- 

 ment of the fruit from season to season. 



A light soil is best ; what is termed a sandy loam is preferable to any other. 



In the early part of September, the weeds, &c. having been removed, plow or 

 spade the earth deeply, harrow or rake thoroughly until entirely cleared of roots 

 of grass, clover, dfc. About the middle of the month avail yourself of the first 

 apprtirance of rain to set out your plants. In selecting these, the first offsets 

 only from the strongest old plants are to be taken ; all the rest must be rejected, 

 producing only imperfect fruit, or being wholly abortive. Having with a pair of 

 scissors, or sharp knife, separated the set from the runner and the parent plant, 

 remove it carefully by inserting the small fork beneath, taking up a portion of 

 the earth with the roots. Place each separately on a hand-barrow, board or flat- 

 bottomed basket, to be carried to the planting-ground. The rows should be 2\ 

 to 3 feet wide, and the sets must be planted in a straight line from 15 to 18 

 inches asunder, in holes scooped out of sufficient size to receive the sets as taken 

 up ; bring sufficient earth and press it well to the roots. 



By this mode of treatment the plants will grow to a great size, and require 

 more space than usual ; in truth, it is impossible to keep them clear from grass 

 and weeds when crowded together. There will also be more room for the free 

 use of the cultivator, hoes and rakes. 



Toward the last of November run your cultivator between the rows, or fork 

 up the earth, especially about the plants, dressing it neatly with the rake, being 

 careful to eradicate every spear of grass or weeds. Lay as much tan as will 

 cover a space of about 10 or 12 inches diameter and one inch in depth around 

 each set, bringing it close up to the plant ; it will defend the roots from the frost 

 and prevent the growth of grass and weeds. As soon as the weather and state 

 of the ground will permit in the spring, fork in the tan 8 or 10 inches deep ; one 

 (273) 9 



