404 Planting the Strawberry. 
shorten the roots to three inches or less, and be sure the plants 
do not dry while planting progresses. As with handling rooted 
grape-vines, it is advisable to carry around the plants in a vessel 
which has water in it. If plants have been received by mail, 
they are invigorated by soaking in water a few hours before 
planting. 
In setting the plants, scoop out a little excavation with the 
hand or a trowel, spread the roots well, cover with fine soil, being 
sure that the crown of the plant shall not be below the surface 
when the soil is leveled. Too many strawberry plants are 
buried, not planted. Some plant very rapidly by using a dibble 
to make a hole, into which the roots are dropped and soil pressed 
around them by using the dibble alongside; others set the plants 
on the side of the furrow, trusting to the next furrow to com- 
plete the covering. Nearly all ways succeed if the plant is not 
set too deeply and the ground is moist at planting and not 
allowed to dry out afterwards—providing good, strong plants 
are used. In buying plants it is often poor economy to buy the 
cheapest. 
Staminate aud Pistillate—In associating varieties be sure 
that pistillate varieties are not set by themselves. Some scrts 
have perfect flowers and are self-fertilizing; others have only the 
pistillate element in the bloom and niust have the staminate 
adjacent in another variety. All the varieties largely grown in 
California have perfect flowers, though some pistillate sorts have 
been locally approved. 
Care of the Strawberry Plantation. —Herein lies the secret of 
success with the strawberry. Neglect has led to disappointment 
and condemnation of the strawberry, where intelligent care would 
have rendered it a constant delight. The chief elements of 
proper care may be thus enumerated :—- 
Retention of moisture very near the surface by careful, 
shallow cultivation or by mulching, persistent destruction of 
weeds, and compensation for summer evaporation by frequent 
irrigation. The plants during the bearing season should never 
be allowed to show any leaf-shriveling from drouth. Frequency 
of irrigation depends upon local conditions. Irrigation at inter- 
vals of four to ten days, according to the soil, are the outlines of 
prevailing practise. 
Constant removal of runners from all plants except those 
it is desired to multiply to furnish new plants or to fill the rows. 
Pinching of runners should always accompany picking or hoe- 
ing of weeds, and on the garden bed there can be no excuse for 
neglect in this respect. The young plants should be faithfully 
freed from runners to strengthen them up for hearing. 
Though, as already stated, strawberries may in some loca- 
tions be had all winter, it is better practise, as a general rule, to 
