The Strawberry Book. 29 
CHAPTER IV. 
WINTER PROTECTION. 
No argument is needed to show the necessity of winter 
protection for strawberry beds in a climate where the soil 
is not covered with snow throughout the winter. If, in a 
cold climate, we could be sure of snow the first of Decem- 
ber, and sure that an unbroken coating of it would remain 
on the ground till the middle of March, it is probable we 
should never need to cover our strawberry vines. It is 
likely that there are but very few kinds that can be injured 
by the mere cold of the winter; hut what kills the hardi- 
est varieties is the constant freezing and thawing to which 
they are too often subjected in this climate if left uncovered. 
The foreign varieties, especially, since they make high, 
prominent crowns, are apt to suffer very much if unpro- 
tected, and thus get the reputation of being tender. 
Almost any cheap non-conducting substance suitable for 
mulching will answer to cover strawberry vines. Old hay, 
strawy manure, salt marsh or meadow hay, straw, leaves, 
spent tan, chopped. straw, pine needles, pine boughs, corn- 
stalks, &c., are among the numerous articles used, as con- 
venience dictates, for covering strawberry beds. Market 
gardeners often use coarse hay, which they spread on the 
vines in the fall, rake off so much as is not needed in the 
spring, and stack up ready for the next autumn’s work. 
Hay is very convenient, the only objection to it being the 
fact that it brings in grass and weed seed. This, however, 
does not matter much if the strawberries are grown on the 
annual system. Perhaps leaves make the best covering 
