Strawberry-Culture in Illinois. 131 



to go over the patch two or tliree times to see that the young plants are not 

 smothered, or that the opening is not so large as to admit of the weeds 

 coming up through also. This is a very essential point, and one to which 

 the cultivator should give his particular attention ; for upon it will depend, 

 to a great extent, his success. The covering, being three or four inches 

 deep, will keep down all weeds ; and the roots of the plants, being in a rich, 

 well-drained soil, will have the full benefit of it, and the result must be a 

 large crop. If the season is wet, the superabundant water is drained off; 

 and, if dry, the mulch holds a reserve of moisture. In this condition, the 

 strawberry has what it most needs at the time of maturing the fruit, — a moist 

 soil. Under the old method, a drought was always feared by the strawberry- 

 grower ; but now he may bid defiance to both drought and heavy rains. 

 One result of this mode of culture is to make the crops a few days later : 

 but the whole crop is sure to mature fully, and the last picking will be 

 nearly equal to the first ; the season will also be extended some daj's. No 

 heavy rains can damage the fruit, either by rotting it or making it too dirty 

 for market, as is the case when the mulching is taken off the rows. In 

 wet seasons, the loss by rotting is l.xrge, by reason of the trusses of fruit 

 resting on the cold, wet soil ; but, on the prairie hay or straw, the drainage 

 is not only perfect, but is a warm bed for the fruit. The leaves mainly 

 protect the Iruit from the sun ; and it is ripened in a natural condition, 

 as though in an old meadow, the place where the sweetest berries always 

 grow. The result of this mode of mulching is, larger berries, a maturing 

 of the whole crop, and richer fruit. It costs less to pick fruit thus grown ; 

 and good pickers will make their hundred quarts in eight hours, while 

 common pickers will average forty quarts in the usual time of picking; that 

 is, from eight to eleven, a.m., and three to five, p.m., — the most suitable 

 hours tor picking of the strawberry. We must also consider the increased 

 value of large, well-grown fruit. 



After the crop is harvested, the mulch can be taken off by the aid of a 

 sulky wire-tooth rake, and should be put in stack or under cover, and the 

 ground kept clear of weeds, and stirred, as recommended, the first season. 



At the beginning of winter, the mulch is returned ; and it will require about 

 a ton additional to the acre. 



I saw a bed that was making its third crop ; and, judging from appear- 



