74 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



row plant three and one-half feet. Set the plants from fifteen inches 

 to two feet apart in the row; but this rule cannot always be followed 

 exactly, as many varieties run so much, that they would cover the 

 ground if set four feet apart. It is not a good plan, however, to 

 allow them to run so much, for this will reduce the fruit cro]), the 

 plants becoming exhausted by making too many runners. 



If the plants have been purchased and have come some distance 

 it is well to unpack them in a cellar and bed the roots with some 

 good cool soil in a shady location, if not ready to plant. ^Yhen 

 ready to set shorten the roots at least one-half and remove all large 

 leaves. It is best to set plants as early in the season as possible 

 before there is much foliage, thus saving this waste in the vitality 

 of the plant. Just before setting puddle the roots in water and clay, 

 if possible, and do not have the plants dropped on the ground much 

 faster than they can be set, for the sun and wind will do them more 

 damage in five minutes than the plants can recover in three weeks. 



In setting be sure to firm the soil well about the roots of the 

 plants; you cannot get it too firm. If the ground is mellow and 

 soft the hand can be used for setting, but a trowel is better, provi(fed 

 it is not too large; set the crown of the plants a little higher than 

 the level of the soil so that no earth can be drawn over it in after 

 cultivation. i\.s soon as the bed is set it is well to go over it close 

 to the rows with a scuffle hoe. This serves to level the soil and also 

 to create a dust mulch near the plants, at the same time not dis- 

 turV)ing the roots. This scuffle hoeing should be repeated at least 

 twice l)efore a horse cultivator is allowed in the field, for as a rule 

 the ground does not need stirring in the middle of the rows for at 

 least one week after planting. The summer cultivation consists in 

 keeping the ground well stirred, not only between the rows, but 

 about the plants, at the same time removing all weeds. As soon as 

 the first runners appear take them off in order to get the plants well 

 established before making new plants. 



As soon as a sufficient number of plants are set about the j^arent 

 plant to form a bed, cut oft" all the runners which attach this plant to 

 its offs])ring; and it is a very good plan at this time to entirely re- 

 move the ])arent as it has a tendency to make plants where they are 

 not needed, and is worthless for fruiting. Keep all weeds removed 

 from the bed as long as thev grow, and when the ground is frozen 



