Strawberries. 325 



surface not in a hollow or it will hold moisture and induce 

 decay, and not raised above the surface, because the tendency 

 of the plant is to rise out of the ground and this must be 

 counteracted as much as possible. If the weather is dry, every 

 RIGHT AND WRONG WAYS TO PLANT STRAWBERRIES. 



Buried Not planted The proper depth Well planted, 



too deeply. deep enough, but badly planted ; at proper depth. 



roots turned up. 



precaution must be taken to keep the roots of the plants moist. 

 A box is better than a basket to carry the plants in, because 

 the wind cannot blow through the sides, and it should be kept 

 covered with a wet sack. When the plants have been obtained 

 from a distance it is always best, before planting in dry weather, 

 to dip the roots in a " puddle " (a mixture of soil or clay and 

 water, of the consistency of cream). On light soils, as soon as 

 planting is finished, it is a good plan to run a light roller over 

 the whole area plants as well, it will not hurt them. In dry 

 weather water should be given unsparingly until the plants 

 are established. Weeds must not be permitted at any time, 

 and the surface soil should be kept constantly stirred during 

 the growing season with hoe or cultivator; this, as has been 

 frequently mentioned, not only keeps the weeds down, but 

 helps to retain moisture in the soil and keeps it friable and 

 aerated, with the result that the plants grow more vigorously, 

 and so make stronger crowns. 



Autumn Planting. When planting cannot be conveniently 

 done in the summer, autumn is the next best time, providing 

 the operation can be completed by the end of October ; Straw- 

 berries may be planted up to the end of December in open 

 weather, but it is very inadvisable to do the work so late, as the 

 roots remain inactive in the cold wet ground, and it is almost 



