156 GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



have all the summer to grow, but of course no fruit can 

 be expected the season of planting. For this reason, it 

 will be seen that to secure a crop quickly, the time to 

 plant is in August or September, and from plants that 

 have been layered in pots. There is no arbitrary rule for 

 the distance apart at which strawberry plants should be 

 set, but if the ground has been prepared as advised, 

 the finest fruit will be had by giving them plenty of 

 room. For our own use we usually set 400 plants annu- 

 ally in August, at two feet apart between the rows, and 

 eighteen inches between the plants, and gather about 200 

 quarts of splendid fruit. If the ground is limited they 

 may be planted at half the above distance, particularly if 

 set late in fall. There is one very important point in 

 strawberry culture that should never be neglected ; that 

 is, that the beds be entirely covered with hay, straw, or 

 leaves, to the depth of three or four inches. This cov- 

 ering should not be put on, however, before the approach 

 of severe weather, in this district about the middle of De- 

 cember. This covering should not be taken off in spring ; 

 it is only necessary to go over the beds as soon as growth 

 begins in spring, and pull the covering back from the 

 plants only sufficient to expose the crown, allowing all to 

 remain on the bed. This covering serves several purpo- 

 ses. It keeps the roots warm until the plants start to 

 grow, it keeps the fruit clean when ripe, it prevents the 

 growth of weeds, and finally acts as a mulch to keep the 

 soil from drying in hot weather. Although strawberry 

 beds will remain in bearing for a number of years, the 

 fruit is always largest and finest the first season of bear- 

 ing, gradually getting smaller as the '-plants get older, 

 hence it is desirable to provide for a succession, if not 

 every year, at least every second year. For garden cul- 

 ture in this, as in all other fruits, it is unwise to use any 

 but fully tested varieties, three or four of which, are 

 Sufficient. 



