142 



GARDEN GUIDE 



plants too tightly. The object of this covering is not to keep the 

 plants from the cold, but to protect them from the sun, which causes 

 more failures than the cold. This covering should be removed after 

 Spring opens up, but not too early, as a little growth may have al- 

 ready started, and if exposed to a late frost may cause much injury. 

 The plants, which will have become loose by the action of the frost, 

 should be gone over and firmly pressed into place, the beds lightly 

 forked to prevent the growth of weeds, and when they are in bloom, 

 some straw or salt hay should be placed around and between the 

 plants to prevent the soil from splashing on the ripe fruit. 



To lengthen the 

 season of fruit- 

 ing, the first blos- 

 soms may be 

 picked from some 

 of the plants, and 

 these will fruit 

 about three weeks 

 later. Strawberries 

 are sexual and bi- 

 sexual, that is to 

 say, in some the 

 flowers have pollen 

 To insure fruiting it 

 unless the bi-sexual 



The Marshall Strawberry 



and seed organs, in others only one set of these. 



is necessary to plant some of each kind, 



varieties alone are selected. A bed once planted is good for at least 



three years, when 'it should be renewed. 



All runners should be cut away annually as soon as the fruiting 

 season is past, unless some are wanted to make a new bed, in which 

 case the strongest plants should be left until wanted and the runner 

 should be stopped at the first strong plant to accelerate rooting. 



Strawberries, fortunately, are not troubled with many insect 

 pests or fungus' diseases, and then* propagation by runners is very 

 simple, as they root freely of their own accord and can be cut off and 

 planted where they are to remain. 



There are many fine varieties and their selection is largely a 

 matter of preference. The following are bi-sexual and are all good, 

 tested sorts: 



Early. CLYDE, MARSHALL, BEDERWOOD. 



Midseason. ABINGTON, McKiNLEY, SHARPLESS, NICK OHMER. 



Late. COMMONWEALTH, GANDY, BRAND YWINE. 



Autumn or Perpetual. AMERICUS, PROGRESSIVE. These have small fruit. 



