38 THB STRAWBERRY CULTURI8T. 



A plantation, with care, may be kept for many years, but ordinarily 

 five years is as long as it will be profitable. 



New runners may be allowed to grow from the plants the season 

 that it is desirable to renew the beds, and a row set between the rows 

 of the old plants, and then the old plants cut out ; but I prefer mak- 

 ing a new plantation, and upon ground that has had no strawberries 

 grown upon it for several years. 



There are several insects and worms that are particularly fond of 

 the strawberry, and their larva is always present more or less in soils 

 where the strawberry has long been cultivated, and for this reason, 

 if for no other, they should be planted upon new ground. 



PACKING THE FRUIT. 



There are as many different opinions in regard to the best method 

 of packing fruit for market as there are contrivances for doing it. Of 

 late, new patent baskets, all claiming to have superior merits, have 

 been introduced in such numbers that cultivators are slow to adopt 

 any. That we need something different from the small splint basket 

 so long in use is evident, but what it shall be is difficult to determine. 



In packing round baskets there is a loss of space, and those that are 

 made of upright splints, with sharp edges, are liable to cut the fruit 

 as it settles, and cause the juice to issue, besides destroying the fine 

 appearance of the fruit. Square baskets or boxes seem to recommend 

 themselves for various reasons, yet round ones will answer every pur- 

 pose if properly made. Those who are engaged in manufacturing' such 

 articles should endeavor to produce a box or basket of this form, that 

 can be furnished so cheap that it can always be sold with the fruit, 

 Several such are now in use, and with a little modifying they will an- 

 swer the purpose very well. 



The size of the boxes should be regular either pints or quarts- 

 good measure when filled level with the brim ; no heaping will answer, 

 as that interferes with packing. There should be a law passed com 

 pelling cultivators to send their fruit to market in baskets or boxes 

 holding a certain quantity, for as it now is, there is no way of knowing 

 what strawberries bring, as they sell by the basket, some of which hold 

 a sixth of a quart, and from that up to a full quart. If the fruit sold 



