THE STKAWBERKY CULTURIST. 13 



must be added, so that it shall be capable of retaining moisture. 

 Deep plowing, thoroughly pulverizing the soil, with a liberal supply 

 of mulching, is usually all that will be needed to insure a constant 

 supply of moisture. 



MANURE. 



That all plants require food is evident, and if the soil does not con- 

 tain it in sufficient quantities it must be supplied. Of this, and how 

 much manure, if any, is required, every cultivator must be his own 

 judge, remembering that the strawberry requires a good rich soil, but 

 not so rich as is necessary to grow many other crops. 



Caution against putting on too much manure I think is needless, for 

 very few will be guilty of such an act. 



KIND OF MANURE. 



There is but little ch.oice in the kinds of manure which are obtain- 

 able on the farm, provided it is well decomposed or composted. Muck, 

 leaves, ashes, old sods, etc., are all good when applied separately, or 

 when composted with barn-yard manure. All fresh manures, such as 

 that of the horse, sheep, hens, etc., should be avoided if possible, as 

 they have a tendency to produce a great amount of foliage, but little 

 fruit. They may, however, be used when old with good effect. Gu- 

 ano may be applied as a stimulant, but not relied upon as a general 

 manure. 



In some parts of the country the soil is rich enough, and no manure 

 is needed ; but around New York, where the soil has been a long time 

 in cultivation, there are few fields that will not need at least a good 

 top-dressing of some kind of manure before planting. The ground 

 should be made as smooth and level as possible, and all coarse lumpa 

 should be made fine or entirely removed. 



TIME TO PLANT. '. 



Although the strawberry may be planted with safety at any time 

 from early spring until fall, yet there seems to be two seasons of the 

 year in which it may be done more successfully than any other, 

 namely, April and May in spring, September and October in the 

 autumn. Augufit is sometimes chosen, but it is usually a dry 

 month, and the heat being so great, the plants are move liable to 



