84 A MANUAL OF 



fruit for one year. Then remove the mulching 

 and cultivate between the rows thoroughly, 

 letting the runners grow the next season after 

 fruiting. 



When we get choice, new varieties, from 

 which we wish to propagate as rapidly as 

 possible, we have found it the best plan to 

 procure them in March, and set at first in a 

 moderate hot-bed, or cold frame, where they 

 will grow rapidly, and usually bloom in April. 

 The blossoms are picked off as soon as formed 

 or while in bud. The next tendency of the 

 plant is to throw out runners, after it has borne 

 or attempted to bear fruit. Early in May, or 

 as soon as all hard frosts are past, we carefully 

 transfer them to the open ground, selecting a 

 situation for them which is free from weeds 

 and weed seeds as possible, and which will be 

 likely to remain somewhat moist at the surface 

 throughout the season. Here they should be 

 'placed not nearer than three feet apart each 

 way, and different varieties at least ten feet 

 apart, for they are prepared to throw out run- 

 ners at once, and as they will keep running all 

 the season, until stopped by cold weather late 

 in the fall, the number of plants produced will 

 not only be surprisingly large, but they will be 



