THE STRAWBERRY. 



191 



lowing season, as soon as the flowers appear, place a layer 

 of clean straw between the plants to prevent the fruit being 

 splashed by soil in wet weather. Should the weather be 

 dry, give copious supplies of water, with an occasional 

 application of liquid manure during the fruiting period. 

 Unless runners are required for planting new beds, these 

 should be removed as soon as they have formed. After 

 the crop is gathered, clear off the straw litter, also all 

 weeds, and likewise trim off the larger outer leaves. In 



Fig-. 77. PLANTING STRAWBERRIES. 



3 Correct way to plant layers in pots. 4 Wrong way to plant a rooted 

 layer. 5 Planting pot-layered runners in ground. 



autumn very lightly fork over the surface soil, and again 

 top-dress with manure, adding also the fertilisers recom- 

 mended further on in this book. On no account dig be- 

 tween the plants with a spade. 



Duration of Plantations Experience has shown that it 

 is advisable not to retain plants after the third season of 

 fruiting. After that period the fruit usually diminishes in 

 size, quantity, and quality. It is a good plan to make a 



