11 



have such level plots or valleys, where the moisture never fails, 

 can produce enormous crops at little expense. Do not mistake 

 wet for moist land. Where the water stands and stagnates on or 

 just below the surfjice, the strawberry will not thrive. But a 

 little drainage may convert these low, sour lands into the most 

 productive. 



While the above named soils and situations are no doubt the 

 best, there are many excellent kinds that can be grown profita- 

 bly on nearly all soils with a moderate outlay in preparation 

 and culture. I have had fine fruit on dry knolls that were 

 thought almost barren, and some of the choicest kinds will flour- 

 ish on a stiff clay. 



Avoid shade. Many wonder at their half-barren beds and 

 short fruit season when the ground is exhausted of fertility and 

 moisture by the roots of overshadowing trees. 



Choice of soil and exposure is one of the best and readiest 

 methods of prolonging the season. I have had ripe berries from 

 early kinds on a warm sunny slope the 31st of May, and fine 

 fruit the middle of July from late varieties on a cold and north- 

 ern exposure. 



To the extreme north, warm land and sheltered situations 

 should no doubt be chosen, but in our latitude ;ind fartlier south 

 it should ever be our aim to escape that hardness and dryness of 

 soil which cut short the crops and hopes of so many cultivators. 



Having located our strawberry plantations, we next consider : 



The Preparation of the Soil and the best 



Fertilizers. 



The number of berries that we pick does not, usually, de- 

 pend upon the area planted, but upon the preparation and en- 

 riching of the soil and the after culture. In most instances one 

 acre can be made to produce as much as two, and at less expense, 

 which is certainly lar more satisfactory. While the strawberry 

 plant will live under almost any circumstances, lot it be most 



