CHAPTER XIV. 



THE STRAWBERRY. 



THIS delicious fruit, the earliest of the season, 

 is so highly appreciated that it is only necessary 

 to dwell upon its mode of culture and the most 

 desirable varieties. The strawberry will grow 

 in a great variety of soils, from warm and light 

 sandy plains, on through rich loams, up to stiff, 

 retentive clay, provided the last has proper 

 drainage. Of course the light soils require most 

 enriching. Some varieties, however, will not 

 thrive in light soils. Richness and depth are 

 most desirable, and the best condition is a rather 

 retentive loam, not subject to drought. The 

 ground should be thoroughly cultivated before- 

 hand, and made fine and friable by frequent 

 harrowing. 



As to the amount of fertilizing material there 

 is almost no limit, market gardeners often 

 ploughing in from forty to fifty cords to the 

 acre, before planting. A third part of that 

 amount will, however, give excellent and proba- 

 bly better results. 



