eight] strawberries AND THEIR KIN 



the soil is not sticky. The ground, in fact, should 

 be rather dry than otherwise when the planting 

 takes place. 



Here comes a very particular point in the cul- 

 ture of strawberries. The plants, if received from 

 a distance, should have had a good bath, of an hour 

 or two, in a brook or a tub of water. The ground 

 being friable and clean, draw your line; then with 

 a trowel dig a small, shallow hole, and have the 

 ground slightly mounded in the bottom. Spread 

 the roots over this, shove on the dirt, and crowd 

 down with all your might. If you have got the 

 dirt just right, the plant will be left with the crown 

 exactly level with the general surface of the ground. 

 Mark you, it must not stand above, nor must it be 

 crowded at all below — it must be absolutely level 

 with the general surface. After having crowded 

 in dirt to cover the roots, slowly pour in a quart of 

 water, then throw over loose dirt, and your planting 

 will be a success. You cannot set a strawberry 

 plant as you would a cabbage plant — that is, with 

 indifference to the exact depth of the crown. 



Now if dry weather sets in, and watering be- 

 comes essential, irrigate regularly, if you can, with 

 pipes. If you have not any such convenience, dig 



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