THE GARDEN AT HOME 



growth at the base of the older branch is destined to take 

 the place of the latter when it has produced its crop of 

 fruit. It is not wise to rub off too many growths at 

 once ; rather should the work be done gradually, through- 

 out several weeks. Freshly-planted Peach and Nectarine 

 trees are, like Plum trees, very prone to develop gross 

 shoots, and the only way to prevent these is to lift and 

 root-prune in autumn. Peach Leaf Blister is a common 

 malady that often appears in spring. It may be kept 

 in check by spraying with the preparation called Medela. 



The Strawberry. This popular fruit is perhaps more 

 easily grown than any other if the land is in good " heart/' 

 as the old-fashioned gardener would say ; in other words, 

 if it is good loamy soil, dug and enriched with well-rotted 

 manure. The Strawberry is not very successful on light, 

 sandy ground unless this is heavily dressed with cow- 

 manure in advance of planting. The best time to plant 

 Strawberries is early in September. They should be in 

 rows 2 feet apart, each plant being 12 inches from its 

 neighbour in the same row. When the first crop of 

 fruit is gathered every other plant is pulled up, thus 

 leaving all at 2 feet from each other. The finest Straw- 

 berries are obtained in the first and second years after 

 planting, but the third season's crop, though consisting 

 of smaller fruits, is usually very abundant. 



Strawberries are increased by layering in early July. 

 Little plants form on stalk-like creeping growths called 

 " runners." As many of the little plants as are needed 



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