82 THE NEW HORTICULTURE. 



rule, and not the exception, at several points, which has re- 

 sulted in giving this season's crop a depreciated value of 

 from 25 to 50 per cent, lower than it would have brought had 

 mulching been general. It is hard to understand why other- 

 wise enterprising growers will persist, from year to year, in 

 flooding the markets with such fruit. They not only hurt 

 themselves, but also all other growers who do mulch, for 

 when prices come down for sandy fruit, the clean has to suf- 

 fer likewise. The matted-row system is another mistake of 

 many growers, and is responsible for this, as it is really im- 

 possible to properly mulch plants thus grown. That system 

 is admirably adapted to the North, where the entire tops of 

 the plants are winter-killed, and when growth starts in spring 

 the blooms come early, before the foliage grows too large, so 

 as to shade the fruit too much, as it will here. Strawberries 

 grown in the shade will not ship well, being not only soft, but 

 of inferior quality. The sun should be able to strike all 

 around every plant, and the berries will then be firm and 

 bright. On no crop can be seen more plainly the effect of 

 liberal and judicious fertilizing than on this. Heavy applica- 

 tions of cotton-seed meal, or any fertilizer rich in ammonia 

 alone, will always produce a rank growth of vine, susceptible 

 to the "rust," and soft, insipid fruit. Plenty of potash, 

 and especially phosphoric acid, are absolute necessities for 

 firm, high-colored, well-flavored berries. For those who in- 

 tend to make this a business, it is a matter of the first im- 

 portance to provide a full supply of new plants every year, 

 and a bed of sufficient size, rich and convenient to water, 

 should be set with plants about three feet apart, in February 

 or March, for runners. If shaded somewhat by a light frame 

 and brush after June, very little or no water at all will be re- 

 quired until August, when it should be supplied, if dry, to 

 compel the plants to throw out new and strong roots, for re- 

 planting in September and October. 



As to marketing, nothing need be said, except that many 

 growers will persist every year in shipping half-ripe fruit, to 

 the great depreciation of their crop later on. Prices have 

 now come down to -hard-pan, the public is yearly growing 



