CHAPTER VII. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



HPHERE is a very general impression that light, 

 * dry, sandy soils are the best for the straw- 

 berry. Just the reverse of this is true. In its desire 

 for moisture it is almost an aquatic plant. Expe- 

 rienced horticulturists have learned to recognize 

 this truth, which the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder has 

 suggested in the following piquant manner : " In 

 the first place, the strawberry's chief need is a great 

 deal of water. In the second place, it needs more 

 water. In the third place, I think I should give it 

 a great deal more water." 



While emphasizing this truth the reader should 

 at the same time be warned against land whereon 

 water stands above the surface in winter and 

 spring, or stagnates beneath the surface at any 

 time. Moisture is essential to the best results; 

 good drainage is equally so. The marvellous crops 

 of strawberries raised in California under well- 

 directed systems of irrigation should teach us use- 

 ful lessons. The plants, instead of producing a 

 partially developed crop within a few brief days, 



