344 



SMALL FRUITS 



varieties have both stamens and pistils in abundance and are called 

 perfect varieties. If pistillate varieties are chosen they should be 

 set near others which are perfect; otherwise no crop will be pro- 

 duced. If plants are purchased the varieties will be listed in the 

 catalogues, indicating which are pistillate and which are perfect. 

 Bederwood, Clyde, Gandy, Kansas, Parker Earle and Senator are 

 good perfect varieties; and Warfield is one of the best in the 

 pistillate group. 



Plants are set according to two or three different plans. The 

 hedge-row system (Fig. 235) is common among growers wishing 

 to produce large crops of superior fruit for special markets. The 

 plants are set in rows about three feet apart with the plants about 

 twelve to eighteen inches apart in the rows. Runners are not 



FIG. 234. Strawberry blossoms on the left have both stamens and pistils and are 

 called "perfect "; those on the right no stamens or only rudimentary ones. The latter kind 

 must have the perfect varieties grown near them or no crop of fruit will be formed. (New- 

 Jersey Station.) 



allowed to take root outside the row, but a few are allowed to 

 grow in the rows. Many runners have to be cut off during the 

 early part of each summer. This is quickly done with wheel cutters 

 run by hand. Thorough cultivation is practiced between the rows 

 each year after the crop is picked and is continued until winter. 

 When the ground freezes the vines are covered with litter such as 

 clean wild hay, straw, or leaves. This winter mulch is opened along 

 the rows in the spring after danger of heavy frost is over. Between 

 the rows the mulch may be left until the crop is harvested. Dur- 

 ing that time it will help to keep down weeds, save the moisture 

 and prevent suffering from drought, and will keep the berries 

 clean (Fig. 236). 



The vines are then mowed down and raked off with the mulch 



