SMALL FiittfS. 139 



(diluted urine), and they are brightening up and invigorated so as to with- 

 stand the winter better, and put out 8trong and eariy in the spring. This 

 attention is only a trifle, but it heli>8 a good deal. The strawberry, like the 

 grape, is very susceptible to treatment, and can be made to do much more 

 than we usually see. 



Cultivation of Strawberries. — An Dlinois journal says that the pre 

 paration of the ground for strawberries, and, indeed, for all berry fruits 

 raised in the garden, ia exceedingly simple. Any land rich enough to bring 

 forty to lifty bushels of com per acre, under good cultiTation, will do. The 

 ground should be plowed deeply and thoroughly well pulverized. Mark the 

 land if for field culture, the distance as for com. If for garden culture, the 

 field may be marked both ways, and one good plant placed at each interseo- 

 tiou, spreading the roots naturally, placing the plants so the crowns will not 

 be above the surface, giving a HtUe water to the roots if the soil be not fairly 

 moist, and after the water has settled away, drawing the drj' earth over &11. 

 For garden culture, one plant to three feet of space will be sufficient, unless 

 the plants are to be raised in stools, and the runners kept cut out, when a 

 plant to each two feet will be about right, if you want extra large berries. 

 The cultivation is simple. The spaces between the rows, about two feet 

 wide, may be kept clean with the cultivator. In the rows the weeds may be 

 kept, early in the season, clean with the cultivator; later, when the runners 

 have encroached on the rows, the weeds must be pulled out if necessary, 

 but on fairly clean soil, the cultivation will not be difficult. Beds of the pre- 

 vious year, and which should be in flill fruit this season, may be kept clean 

 between the rows with the cultivator. The weeds will not trouble much 

 until the crop ia gathered. 



Abont Raspberries. — Not one-half the people grow raspberries that 

 should. To say nothing of the excellence of this fruit freshly taken from the 

 vines, with cream or without, it is really the best there ia for camiing, and 

 either raw or canned it finds a ready market. It is easily cultivated, pro- 

 duces large crops, and has few insect enemies. 



In starting a bed the best time is in the fall, but if neglected then, plant 

 early in the spring, pressing the earth firmly about the roots and cutting the 

 canes oflf six inches high. Cotmt all suckers as weeds except three to five to 

 the hill. The hilla may be four feet apart each way, so they can be worked 

 with the plow and cultivator. No stakes are needed, for the canes are kept 

 stocky by being pinched off hen about a yard high. 



As to varieties, ef course there is none better for this locality than the 

 Brandywine. It is true and tried. It carries well to market, and its bright 

 red color makes it the most salable berry in the catalogue. For home use 

 alone it is no better than the Herstine, but tlus is not solid, and the plants 

 need covering in winter north of this latitude. The Herstine is a spltudid 

 l>erry — good enough for anybody. The Philadelphia is a valuable old stand- 

 ard, but is soft and too dark in color. The Reliance is nearly of the same 

 color, but we believe every way better than the Philadelphia. 



The Cuthbert is immensely praised just now, and so many unite in com- 

 mending it, that it certainly mtist have merit. It is perfectly hardy, and 

 thrives North and South. It is said to be very productive, the berries are 

 immense, and the bearing time holds on a long time. The Queen of the 

 Market ia quite similar to the Cuthbert, in fact so nearly alike are the two 

 berries, that many consider them identical. 



