24 MODERN STRAWBERRY GROWING 
spade. By this method two men or two 
men and a boy are needed. In the case of 
the two men, one uses the spade, thrusting 
it into the soil at the required distances 
apart, pushing the handle forward a little, 
thereby making openings in which the other 
man can place the roots of the strawberry 
plants, being sure to spread them as much 
as possible. The spade is then placed in 
front of the plant and pushed into the ground 
and the blade drawn back, forcing the soil 
tightly against the roots of the plant; or the 
heel is placed near the plant to force the soil 
tightly against the roots. ‘The man who 
sets the plants in the ground must prepare 
them if it has not previously been done, 
by pruning the roots back so that they will 
be able quickly and easily to start growth; 
also the leaves must be pruned. If you 
prune the roots, be fair to the top and prune 
back all the leaves but one (this should be 
the last one produced by the plant), and the 
growing point. The planter must also carry 
the basket of plants or the pail of plants, if a 
boy is not employed to prepare and drop the 
plants. 
The best results in planting are sometimes 
