STRAWBERRY CULTURE. 169 



STRAWBERRY CULTURE. 



OUR system of growing Strawberries from pot layers 

 has now extended all over the country, and particularly 

 in the Eastern and Middle States. There is no question 

 that it is by far the most simple and satisfactory for 

 private use, if it is not also for market. 



Strawberries will grow on almost any soil, but it is 

 all-important that it be well drained, either naturally or 

 artificially; in fact, this is true for the well-being of nearly 

 all plants, as few do well on soils where the water does 

 not freely pass off. - 



Thorough culture requires that the soil should be first 

 dug or plowed, then spread over with at least three 

 inches of thoroughly rotted stable manure, which should 

 be dug or plowed under, so far as practicable, to mix it 

 with the soil. If stable manure cannot be had, artificial 

 manure, such as bone dust, etc., should be sown on the 

 dug or plowed ground, thick enough to nearly cover it, 

 then harrowed or chopped in with a fork, so that it is 

 well mixed with the soil to at least six inches in depth. 

 This, then, is the preliminary work before planting, to 

 insure a crop the next season after planting, or in nine 

 or ten months. 



POT LAYERS. 



The plants must be such as are layered in pots, and the 

 sooner they are planted out after the i5th of July, the 

 better, although, if not then convenient, they will produce 

 a crop the next season, even if planted as late as the 



