APPENDIX. 148 



mulch, and promise, in my opinion, to take the first 

 place among mulcliers. Hay, straw, grass, sawdust, 

 (Sec, axe also good; but whatever is used for this 

 purpose, the crown of the plants must in no case be 

 covered. 



The beds having been properly made, the after- 

 treatment becomes a very simple matter; indeed, I 

 know of no plant that gives such generous returns at 

 so small a cost of labor ; but you must not infer from 

 this that I justify anything like neglect. The beds 

 must be looked over occasionally, runners removed, 

 weeds pulled up, and everything kept neat and clean. 

 In the spring, rake the mulching into the walks, stir 

 up the soil, apply a top-dressing if needed, and then 

 put back the mulching. The best mode, however, is to 

 apply one of the solutions before mentioned, after the 

 fruit has set. The bearing-season may be considerably 

 prolonged by thorough watering, and will amply repay 

 the trouble where the means are at hand. As soon as 

 the plants have done bearing, they will throw out run- 

 ners, which must be pinched off, unless plants are 

 wanted for new beds. I have no time to add more 

 here, except to say, that he who would have good 

 strawberries must cultivate them ; by which I mean the 

 opposite of letting them take care of themselves. 



You will doubtless expect me to add a few words in 

 regard to some of the leading varieties ; but it would 



