SYSTEM OF PLANTING 171 



the crop, and plenty of moisture in the soil at ripening time 

 is highly advantageous for success in the growing of the 

 strawberry. Many times artificial watering is very profit- 

 able during the ripening period. 



Planting. — The strawberry can either be planted in the 

 spring or in the fall. Spring planting is usually more desirable 

 because the ground can be prepared in the fall and is then 

 ready for setting the plants out early. The latter part of 

 March or the first of April is the most preferable time to 

 reset the plants. The exact date must necessarily vary in the 

 different sections. When the plants are set in the spring 

 they have the advantage of a full season's growth and become 

 more thoroughly mature. In some sections the planting is 

 done later in the season, just after the berries have been 

 harvested. This method is satisfactory if the soil is well 

 prepared. The young plants are usually taken from the old 

 patch and transplanted to their new location. However, it is 

 usually necessary to water and to shade the plants at this 

 time of the year unless the weather is cool and plenty of 

 moisture is available. 



The plants must not be set too deeply. The crowns should 

 not be covered up, although the plant should be set as deep 

 as it is possible without injuring the crowns. The plants 

 are set with either a dibble, a trowel, or a spade. The roots 

 should be spread out slightly and the soil pressed firmly 

 about them. The watering of the plants after setting them 

 out will be of great value. 



System of Planting. — There are four systems of planting in 

 common use : The hill system, the single hedge row system, 

 the double hedge row system and the matted row system. 



Hill System. — ^The hill system is the growing of the plants 

 singly in rows. Each plant is allowed to grow independently 

 and no runners are permitted to form. In this method the 

 entire strength of the plant is given over to the production of 

 fruit, and the plants produce excellent large berries. This 

 way of planting is very profitable when the grower is catering 

 to a fancy market. 



The distance apart the plants are set depends upon whether 

 hand or horse cultivation is practised. Where hand, culti- 



