324 GRAPES, STRAWBERRIES, BUSH FRUITS 



the same mixture, to which two pounds of arsenate of lead 

 has been added to poison the grape berry moth. The 

 third spraying should be applied just as the blossoms are 

 falling, and another about two weeks later. It may be 

 necessary to make another spraying later with the same 

 mixture. If it becomes necessary to spray after this time 

 to control the rot, weak copper sulphate should be used in 

 preference to the Bordeaux mixture, as the latter will stain 

 the fruit. 



Strawberries. -- The strawberry is one of the most 

 popular of American fruits and hence the supply is seldom 

 equal to the demand. Strawberries are propagated by the 

 separation of runners produced by the plants. New varie- 

 ties are produced from seedlings, but it is seldom that new 

 seedlings prove of superior value to the standard varieties. 

 Most varieties produce an abundance of runners which are 

 attached to the old plant the first season. These are the 

 plants that should be selected for setting a new patch. 

 Old plants are not desirable. 



Soil and Cultural Methods. Strawberries may be 

 grown successfully on almost any soil. A sandy loam soil 

 is preferred, but good crops are produced upon any soil 

 that is good enough for corn. For early fruit, a southern 

 slope is best, but a northern slope is most desirable, as this 

 plant requires cool, moist conditions for its best develop- 

 ment. For this reason, also, strawberries should be planted 

 very early in the spring, so that the cool, moist weather 

 may encourage a strong development of the plant before 

 the warm, dry period of midsummer overtakes them. Sod 

 land should be avoided, as the white grubs, so destructive 

 to strawberry plants, are most prevalent there. The plants 

 are usually dug just before setting and the older and dis- 



