VARIOUS SPECIES OF FRUITS 



193 



produce the largest and 

 finest berries of all sys- 

 tems. The main drawback 

 to this system is the work 

 required to prevent the 

 rooting of runners; but 

 this is balanced by the 

 lessened cultivation work 

 around runners. Such 

 work is least when the 

 plants are set in checks so 

 cultivation may be given 

 in both directions. 



While the Strawberry 

 is a hardy perennial herb, 

 it may, however, be killed 

 by the heaving of the 

 soil, due to alternate 

 thawing and freezing dur- 

 ing Winter. This fate 

 may easily be prevented 

 by mulching (Fig. 131) 

 with marsh hay, shredded 

 corn fodder or some other 

 material free from weed 

 seeds. The time to 

 apply such a mulch is 



after the ground has frozen hard enough to bear a team of horses 

 and a wagon. Enough should be applied to cover the plants two or 

 three inches deep. As soon as Cherry and Pear buds begin to swell, 

 but not much earlier, this material must be moved off but placed 

 around the plants, otherwise they might be smothered. As it will be 

 needed, however, to check evaporation of water from the soil, to keep 

 down weeds and to keep the berries clean, it must be left between the 

 rows and the plants in the rows and there allowed to remain at least 

 until after the fruit is gathered. Such weeds as struggle up through 

 the mulch may be easily pulled after a rain or cut with a sharp hoe. 

 The fewer and smaller the weeds and the fewer the Strawberry plants, 

 the larger and finer the fruits and the longer will the bed continue to 

 bear. 



After harvesting (Fig. 132) is over proper attention will make it 

 practicable to use the bed for a second, a third or even a .fourth crop, 

 though because of certain insects it is best to allow the bed to 



Fig. 130. -Potted Strawberry runner ready to 

 transplant 



