APPENDIX. 133 



gardens and private gardens, until tliey are grown 

 wild beyond hope of recovery. Now, we say to every- 

 one who wishes to cultivate strawberries, resolve at 

 once upon abandoning the " lazy-bed" system ; and if 

 you cultivate but a square rod, do it well. 



We advise planting in rows not less than two feet 

 apart, unless ground be very scarce, when eighteen 

 inches might suffice, and the plants to be twelve to 

 eighteen inches apart in the rows. In extensive field 

 culture, the rows should be at least three feet apart, in 

 order to admit the use of the plough and cultivator 

 between them, or even the passage of a cart to deposit 

 manures or mulching material. The spade and wheel- 

 barrow are too costly impliments for an extensive cul- 

 ture where labor is scarce and high, as with us. From 

 the time the plants are set until the fruit is gathered, 

 the runners should be cut away as fast as they appear, 

 and the ground be kept clear of weeds, and well 

 worked.' 



In the fall, or before the setting in of winter, a 

 mulching of half-decayed leaves or manure should be 

 placed between the rows, coming close around the 

 plants, leaving the crown or heart uncovered. This 

 mulching prevents the plants from being drawn out 

 and weakened, or destroyed by freezing and thawing 

 in winter. We have sometimes covered the entire 

 beds, plants and all, with newly -fallen leaves ; and by 



