^ 



clean. After the fruit i-s picked the mulch should be raked 

 off", and the ground get a top dressing of bone dust, ashes, op 

 some commercial fortilizer, and again thoroughly cultivated 

 if it is to be kept for another year. Three or four profitable 

 crops may be got in this way ; but sometimes it is best ta 

 plough up after the first heavy crop. If the ground should 

 become weedy it is easier to plant a new plot than to clean 

 out an old one. 



Some strawberry growers allow the runners to grow 

 and cover the ground, except a small patch in the centre. 

 This is certainly less labor, but fruit of the largest and best 

 quality cannot be got in this way, nor can the field be kept 

 free from weeds. 



The strawberry is comparatively free from diseases and 

 the attacks of insects. Indeed, no crop that the farmer 

 raises suffers less from enemies. Leaf blight and mildew 

 sometimes occur on heavy soil, but seldom do serious injury. 

 The larva of the June bug is, perhaps, the worst enemy of 

 the strawberry, especially when planted on old sod land ; 

 but thoiough cultivation with the aid of birds almost frees 

 us of this pest. 



The strawberry worm and the strawberry leaf-roller 

 occasionally appear, but I have never known them to appear 

 in sufficient numbers to do any damage. Dusting the leaves 

 with lime when wet with dew or just after a shower for the 

 former, and picking off and burning for the latter, are 

 effectual remedies. 



The greatest drawbacks to strawberry culture are frosts 

 and droughts. For the former it is recommended to plant 

 on hillsides, where the frost is less liable to strike. For the 

 latter artificial watering may be employed, but it is doubtful 

 if it could be made profitable on a large plantation. 



In the list of varieties, for hardiness, vigor and produc- 

 tiveness, Wilson's Albany still holds the first place. The 

 Crescent Seedling is noted for great productiveness. The 

 Sharpless and Manchester produce laige fruit, of better 

 quality than the former varieties, but are not so productive. 



The Crescent and Manchester are pistilate, and require 

 to be planted alongside of some perfect flowering variety to 

 produce fruit 



These four varieties will probably give better results 

 than ar y others. Farmers should leave the testing of new 

 varieties to those who have more time and money to devote 

 to the work. 



. ■•< 



