HOME PROJECTS 361 



seasons, because one season is insufficient to show results. It 

 is one of the best projects for a young person to undertake. 

 The strawberry is one of the most important of the small 

 fruits. 



Soil requirements. Strawberries may be grown with a 

 fair degree of success in almost 'any soil, but moist, dark, 

 sandy loam is the best. The land for this crop should be well- 

 drained. The soil should be thoroughly prepared, plowed or 

 spaded deep, heavily manured, and thoroughly harrowed 

 until the surface is fine and mellow before the plants are set. 



The plants. For this project the student should have at 

 least one hundred plants to grow. Senator Dunlap, Gandy, 

 and Aroma are some standard varieties to plant. 



Setting the plants. The project should be begun early in 

 the spring. After the ground is prepared as indicated above, 

 lay off the land both ways in rows two feet apart. The 

 strawberry plants should then be set at the junction of these 

 rows. The roots of the plants should not be exposed to the 

 sunshine. They should be set in the hole prepared for them, 

 with the roots well spread out. Press the soil firmly about 

 the roots with both hands, being very careful not to cover the 

 crown. If the ground is not wet, each plant should receive 

 about one pint of water, and loose mulch should be drawn 

 over the moistened earth. 



Cultivation. The rows should be kept clean and free from 

 weeds at all times. When the runners begin to grow, they 

 should be trained in circles about the plants, and not allowed 

 to cover the space between the rows. A fine soil mulch should 

 be maintained during the entire first summer, and during the 



