Strawberry 



( 3G8 ) 



Strawberry 



for adoption : (1) layering the runners on to small 

 squares of turf, half plunged grass side downwards 

 iu the soil ; (2) layering into 3" pots of light soil, 

 these also being half plunged ; and (3) layering 

 into the natural soil after this lias been loosened 

 and, if dry, thoroughly watered. In all cases 

 alternate spaces between the rows alone should be 

 used, as the space containing no young plants may 

 then form the alley for the operator to gather fruit 

 and water the young plants, which is absolutely 

 necessary in dry soils and seasons. For plants 

 intended for forcing, either the first or second 



winter. The best time is the second half of July 

 and the first week in August. For strong growing 

 varieties in rich soil, have the rows 3' apart, and 

 the plants 18" asunder in the rows. For medium 

 growers the rows may be 2' 6" and the plants 15" 

 apart. In the second year alternate plants in the 

 rows may be removed. Discretion must be used in 

 this respect. In planting, as much care should be 

 taken to spread out the roots as is given to Apples 

 and Pears. Young, strong stock planted in October 

 may carry a few fruits the first year, but it is a 

 better plan not to allow them to do so. Small 



Photo : Ca*acU tfr Company, Ltd, 



STHAWIIEKKY MKXTMOHK (s 



mode should be chosen. Turves have the advan- 

 tage over pots in one respect only. If when the 

 small pots become full of roots repotting is not at 

 once done, the roots form a perfect mat round the 

 sides, with the result that when placed in larger 

 pots root action may be some time before it recom- 

 mences. Such an occurrence could not be with 

 turves. The earlier that well-rooted runners from 

 one year old plants can be had the better, especially 

 when forcing is in view. In pots and turves the 

 young plants should be well rooted in three weeks, 

 but to ensure this the soil must be kept moist. 



Preparing the Beds, and Planting. The deeper 

 the ground can be worked the better, and the sub- 

 soil should always be well loosened. As the soil is 

 dug, thoroughly decomposed manure should be 

 incorporated, the dressing being more generous on 

 light, poor lands than on those that are in good 

 condition. Planting ought to be done the moment 

 the runners are well rooted, so as to give the young 

 stock ample time to become established before 



plants put 0" apart in nursery beds in October may 

 be put into the permanent quarters in March, but 

 must not be allowed to fruit. 



Age of Beds. The age at which the plants 

 bear the most profitable crops varies with the 

 variety in a slight degree, and with the soil and 

 climate very considerably. Beds have been known 

 to crop abundantly for seven years, or even more, 

 but as a rule after three years the plants commence 

 to deteriorate. In the first and second years the 

 fruits are large and fine, and in the third year 

 there come the bulk, with some fine specimens. 

 To maintain a constant succession of beds in full 

 vigour a certain number of rows must be annually 

 destroyed, and a similar number planted with 

 young, healthy stock. In those places where one 

 year old plants give the best returns complete new 

 Strawberry quarters are made up each year. 



Routine Management. Early in the year, 

 when the flower spikes appear, long litter should 

 be spread between the rows. It will quickly 



