CHAPTER XXXIV. 



THE STRAWBERRY. 



In the cultivation of this early and delicious fruit, the 

 requisites for success are chiefly : 



1. A good, deep, rich soil. 



2. Clean cultivation between the rows. 



3. A renewal by planting as often as the vigor of the plants 

 declines. 



4. Selection of suitable varieties. 



Soil. — Any deep, rich soil, which will afford fine crops of 

 corn and potatoes, is well adapted to the cultivation of the 

 strawberry. To be uniformly productive, it must be deeply 

 trenched, either by the spade or by double ploughing, and 

 well enriched with manure. Fine crops, it is true, may be 

 obtained without trenching, but not in such excellence, pro- 

 fusion, or certainty, in all seasons. It rarely but sometimes 

 happens that the soil is made too rich. The usual error is the 

 reverse. 



Strawberries are increased by rooted runners, which are 

 usually thrown out from the plants soon after bearing, and 

 they root late in summer and in autumn. These new plants 

 succeed best if set out the following spring ; but strong plants 

 may be set out in autumn in light soils, or in heavier soils if 

 the roots are carefully spread out and the earth trodden com- 

 pactly. 



Transplanting-. — As far north as Albany, N. Y., setting out 

 strawberries, either from well-rooted runners, or preferably 

 from pot-plants, is now often performed during late August or 

 early September. The plants will immediately take root, be- 

 come well established before winter, and bear a good crop 

 the following season. As the weather is often quite dry and 

 warm at this time, precaution must be used to prevent the 

 plants from perishing by drought. All the leaves, except the 



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