THE STRAWBERRY. 245 



from a distance, it may be advisable to trim away dead 

 leaves and puddle the roots. If they can be taken freshly 

 from a field near by, neither will be necessary. When 

 set out the upper portions of the roots should neither 

 show above the soil nor should the crown be buried, but 

 be inserted to the level of the general surface. 



The weather being favorable, the earlier that strong 

 well-rooted plants can be had and be set out, the better 

 will be the growth during the fall and winter, and, there- 

 fore, the earlier and more abundant will be the first crop. 

 This planting may sometimes be done as early as the 

 first of August. It is impossible to procure plants from 

 Northern nurseries early enough, which is another reason 

 for preferring those of home growth. If such have been 

 potted and put out in July, a still better first crop may 

 be realized. As there will be no disturbance of the roots 

 in transferring the plants from the pots to the open 

 ground, it may be done regardless of dry weather, should 

 such prevail at the time. Two and a half or three-inch 

 flower pots, filled with soil, are plunged in the beds up to 

 the rim, wherever young plants upon the runner are 

 about to root, and these are kept in place by placing upon 

 the runner a pebble, an oyster shell, or other weight. 



Late in September and October is, however, the safest 

 season for putting out unpotted strawberry plants in this 

 latitude ; but it may be done through the whole winter 

 and during early spring. 



Clean culture is of paramount importance. Unless a 

 farmer be resolved to accomplish this, he- had better not 

 attempt a strawberry crop in our weed and grass-growing 

 climate. Its prospective value, its duration, and the 

 cost of preparation are too great to abandon the planta- 

 tion to grass and weeds, after the first picking season is 

 over. The cost of planting is so great, and when well 

 cared for the crop is so much more productive the second 

 year than the first, that the practice of treating it like 



