84 THE STEAWBEEEY CULTUEIST. 



dried pulp of the Strawberry remain sound and good f 01 

 several years, and, if it is to be kept for any considerable 

 time, I should much prefer to have it preserved in the 

 pulp than to have it removed or washed out, but the 

 berries should be thoroughly dried and then put away 

 in paper bags as usually practised with clean seeds. I 

 have received dried Strawberries from Europe that were 

 several years old, the seeds of which, when soaked and 

 washed out, sprouted almost as readily as fresh ones. 



My usual practice in raising seedling Strawberries has 

 been to gather the largest and best berries, then mix 

 them with dry sand, crushing the pulp between the 

 hands and so thoroughly manipulating the mass that no 

 two seeds will remain together. Then set away the box 

 containing the sand and seed in some cool place until 

 the following spring. Then sow the sand and seed to- 

 gether either in some half-shady situation in the garden, 

 or in pots, boxes or frames. The soil in which the seed 

 is sown should be of a light texture, to prevent baking 

 of the surface after watering. The seed should be 

 scattered on the surface, and fine soil sifted over them 

 to a depth of not more than one-quarter of an inch, or 

 less than one-eighth. Apply water freely with a water- 

 ing pot or garden syringe, using a fine rose in order that 

 the water shall fall on the surface in the form of spray 

 instead of a stream, as the latter is likely to wash out the 

 seed. By keeping the soil moist the plants will usually 

 appear in two to four weeks after sowing, and, if sown 

 under glass or in warm weather, in less time. 



If the plants do not come up so thickly as to be 

 crowded, they may remain in the seedbed during the 

 entire season, but usually it is better to transplant them 

 into rows in the open ground where they can have more 

 room for development. All runners should be removed 



