Berries and Small Fruits 227 



The strawberry is the most important, and most 

 amateurs attempt its culture — many, however, witli 

 indifferent success. This is due, partly at least, to 

 the fact that many methods are advocated by suc- 

 cessful growers, and that the beginner is not likely 

 to pick out one and stick to it; and further, that he 

 is led to pay more attention to how many layers he 

 will have, and at what distance he will set the plants, 

 than to proper selection and preparation of soil and 

 other vital matters. 



The soil should be well drained and rich — a good 

 garden soil being suitable. The strawberries should 

 not follow sod or corn. If yard manure is used it 

 should be old and well rotted, so as to be as free as 

 possible from weed seeds. Potash, in some form 

 (see Fertilizers) should be added. The bed should 

 be thoroughly prepared, so that the plants, which 

 need careful transplanting, may take hold at once. 

 A good sunny exposure is preferable, and a spot 

 where no water will collect is essential. 



The plants are grown from "layers." They are 

 taken in two ways : ( i ) by rooting the runners in the 

 soil ; and by layering in pots. In the former method 

 they are either allowed to root themselves, or, which 

 gives decidedly better results, by selecting vines 

 from strong plants and pushing them lightly down 

 into the soil where the new crown is to be formed. 

 In the second method, two-inch or three-inch pots 



