THE STEAWBERRY. 319 



in tliis as in all cases, upon its even distribution in the 

 soil. Some old gardens become infested with grubs which 

 live upon the roots of plants and often cut off all crops. 

 In such cases, a dressing of soot, or fresh lime, or salt, at 

 the time of trenching or plowing, will have a good effect. 



It is ahnost unnecessary to say that all soils of a wet 

 nature, whether arising from springs or from being so tena- 

 cious as to hold rain a long time, should be drained 

 (page 73). 



Attention to the subject of draining cannot be too 

 strongly urged upon all cultivator's, and especially cultiva 

 tors of fruit, and the strawberry grower should constantly 

 remembei- that the certainty, excellence, and profusion of 

 the crop depend mainly upon the richness^ depth^ and 

 thorough drainage of the soil. 



Transplanting. — Next to the preparation of the soil an 

 important item is, WiCH to plant. All seasons, in the liands 

 of skilful persons, and with care in shading, etc., are suc- 

 cessful, but the months of April and May in the spring, 

 September and October in the fall, throughout the North- 

 ern States, January, February, and March in the South, 

 are periods when the least care is required to insure the 

 greatest success. 



Fall planting at the North involves necessity of winter 

 protection, whicli it is requisite to give in such a manner, 

 and with such material, that the plants may be prevented 

 from being thrown out by the frost, and at the same time 

 not smothered by the mulch of leaves, straw, etc., being 

 too thick and heavy on their crowns. Early fall planting 

 almost always insures new roots, as the soil is warm and 

 the roots form rapidly ; it is also a season when the ground 

 Avorks finely and the demand for labor on other crops is 

 reduced. For large plantations, we, however, prefer the 

 spring, just about tlie time when the ground is dry and 

 warm, and the ])lants are beginning to grow. One plant 

 in a thousand need not be lost at this time, if the ground 



