222 THE FRUIT GARDEN. [March. 



dig in some rotten manure, it will be of considerable service to the 

 plants, and promote a production of large fruit. 



In choosing the plants for this plantation, observe to select the 

 outward young suckers of strong and robust growth, all of last 

 summer's production, not less than two feet, but the more eligible 

 if from three to live feet long, with strength in proportion — digging 

 them up with full roots, preferring those with roots the most fibrous, 

 for this is material in those plants; and, as sometimes one, two, or 

 more buds appear, formed on the root near the bottom of the stem, 

 for next summer's shoots, such plants are particularly to be chosen, 

 if to be had. 



Previous to planting shorten 1 the shoots, cutting off' about one 

 fourth of their length, trim the roots and cut away any old stumps 

 or hard woody parts annexed thereto, then plant them in rows four 

 feet and a half asunder, and from two to three feet distant in the 

 rows; they will produce some fruit next summer and more abun- 

 dantly the second year, &c. 



Dig the ground between your old plantations of raspberries after 

 pruning, taking out the suckers, &.c. as directed last month. 



Digging the Fruit Tree Borders. 



Dig the fruit tree borders as early in this month as you find the 

 ground to work freely, previously giving them a good dressing of 

 well rotted manure. This will be serviceable to the trees, the bor- 

 ders will appear neat, and be ready to receive any small crops, 

 which may be proper to sow or plant therein. 



Straivberries. 



The strawberry plants will now begin to push, therefore the 

 sooner they receive their spring dressing after the weather becomes 

 tolerably favourable the better. 



Clear the beds from weeds, and the plants from decayed leaves 

 and old runners: it is most adviseable to keep the plants in single 

 bunches, clear of each other, so that there may be room to hoe be- 

 tween, and occasionally to dig round them with a narrow spade or 

 trowel, by which means they will fruit in much better perfection 

 than if crowded together. 



The beds being cleared from litter, loosen the earth between the 

 plants: and if you add a little fresh earth from the alleys, &c. to 

 the beds, drawing it close to the plants, it will greatly strengthen 

 them, and cause them to flower strong and bear plentifully. 



Strawberries may be planted about the middle or latter end of 

 the month, but if planted in September, or early in October, they 

 would bear fruit the summer following; not but those planted now 

 will take root freely and bear some fruit, but they will be few in 

 comparison to those of the autumn planting; however, next year 

 they will hear abundantly. 



The proper sols for planting arc the young offsets and runner- 

 plants of the last summer, which procure of the strongest stocky 



