28 THE STRAWBERRY OULTURIST. 



SOIL AND ITS PREPARATION. 



along rivers, up to the sand hills and even bleak rock^ 

 ridges of Alpine regions. But as the largest species and 

 varieties are found growing in the richest soils, so in cul- 

 tivation we will ever find that large fruit, and this in 

 abundance, can only be secured by supplying a corres- 

 ponding amount of nutriment. New soils, free from 

 weeds and noxious insects, are certainly preferable to old, 

 worn and badly infested; but as the Strawberry grower 

 can seldom have his choice in such matters, he must use 

 such as he has and overcome natural obstacles with arti- 

 ficial remedies. A rather light soil or what would be 

 called loamy soil, is preferable to heavy clay, or the oppo- 

 site extreme as seen in sand and gravel. But natural 

 defects can usually be remedied, for the stiff cold clay 

 can be improved by underdraining and subsoiling, also 

 by adding vegetable matter in large quantities. The 

 main point to be observed is to secure a good depth of 

 soil with good drainage and plenty of nutriment for the 

 plants. Next in importance after supplying what may 

 be termed the substantial elements in the form of nutri- 

 ment comes moisture, for the Strawberry plant will use 

 an immense amount if it is obtainable, but stagnant 

 water at the roots or a constantly water-soaked soil are 

 conditions to be avoided. A soil that will allow the 

 water falling in the form of rain to pass down through 

 it in a few hours, and still hold enough in suspension to 

 keep it moist for weeks, is a proper one for the Straw- 

 berry, whatever may have been its original nature or con- 

 dition. 



Land that will produce a good crop of corn or pota- 

 toes may be considered in a fair condition for Strawber- 

 ries,, provided that it is not so situated as to be in dangei 



