118 APPENDIX. 



but the leaf-mould, and an occasional sprinkling of 

 wood-ashes. The leaf-mould keeps the gi^ound cool 

 and moist, as well as the fruit clean, and does not 

 stimulate the vines to runners. The potash and acids 

 contained in it are just what the fruit wants. Should 

 the vines be disposed to spread, keep the runners 

 down bj constant pinching off, and clear out the grass 

 and weeds with the hoe. A few years of this culture 

 will check their disposition to run, and encourage them 

 to fruit. The bed, once thus formed and cultivated, 

 will, to my certain knowledge, continue productive 

 twelve years, and, I have reason to believe, as much 

 longer as the culture is continued. Should the vines 

 have taken possession of the ground, in spite of the 

 efforts to keep the runners down, we go through in the 

 fall with the hoe, thinning out the plants to ten or 

 twelve inches, leaving every cut-up vine to decay on 

 the ground where it grew ; we then cover with the 

 decaying leaves. When the plants begin to bloom in 

 the spring, a top-dressing of wood-ashes will be found 

 beneficial. I have tried strawberry culture with the 

 plough, which will make a greater quantity of vines,' 

 but will give only one crop of fruit. It is generally 

 remarked that the wild strawberry is finer flavored 

 than the cultivated ; but with this treatment the latter 

 retains all the original flavor. 



It has been recommended by some cultivators to 



