The Canadian Horticulturist. 



43 



NOTF.S AM) (Rri'lClSMS ON THE STRAW 1;1:R K\ 



HERE is so much that can be said about the strawberry 

 and its culture, and the place it fills in the field of fruit 

 growing, that one may be pardoned for throwing out a few 

 thoughts respecting it, although there is much that is valu- 

 able on record already. It is what we can put into practice 

 to insure success in its culture, that is most desired, and 

 if one's experience can encourage others in their efforts there is some excuse for 

 setting it forth. Though we may not be doing great things in our endeavors, 

 yet principles can have their action and results, on a small scale as well as on a 

 large one, and here lies the encouragement for strawberry culture in preference 

 to any other fruit, that a greater return in value from a given space can be rea- 

 lized, and a more varied range of interesting experience can be enjoyed. The 

 possessor of an acre of ground car indulge in experimental effort, and have as 

 good encouragement to note his results as the cultivator of ten or more, so that 

 each can contribute his mite with the same confidence as though he were leading 

 the van in fruit culture. 



As to modes of cultivation, there are varied objects to be attained which 

 must, in a measure, determine the way we seek to attain them. If profit be the 

 aim, the matted row system yields the greatest return from a given area, and 

 affords an easier protection, as the foliage, if of rank growth, will be a sufficient 

 protection in the spring against heavy frosts, and the suns scorching rays. The 

 addition of a very light coating of straw, tomato tops, evergreen brush, or any 

 light laying litter, will more than insure sufficient protection. I do not like long 

 manure, as it lays down too close on the plants and has a tendency to smother 

 and make them too tender, in case of late frosts after uncovering. A neighbor 

 of mine covered his patch last winter with coarse manure, and after he uncovered 

 it in the spring the late frosts so injured his plants that he plowed up his patch 

 this fall. I believe the freezing and thawing weather in March, after the snow 

 goes, is the worst time for the strawberry, and those who have not covered their 

 vines in the fall, will do well to attend to it as soon as the snow melts low 

 enough to leave the vines exposed. A hint throAvn out lately (by a gentleman 

 who carried on a garden for several years at Torquay, England), for lengthening 

 the picking season, I will repeat for any who may wish to test it the coming sea- 

 son. Plow up ridges two or three rods wide, running east and west, raising them 

 as high as three or four plowings will, and set out early varieties on the south 

 side of the ridge and late ones on the north side. It is claimed that this plan 

 will lengthen the season two weeks or more. Early varieties, as the Crescent and 

 Covil, and later ones as James Vick, will serve as a test for this plan. As a 

 criticism on varieties, with my limited experience, I would speak favorably of the 

 Crescent, Manchester, Bubach, Maggie, Johnson's Wilson, C(ivil. Woodruff and 



