AFTER CARE — FERTILIZERS 45 
We have learned that the roots of straw- 
berries are not very large nor numerous, that 
they do not extend far into the soil, but are 
relatively surface feeders. It would there- 
fore be advisable to cultivate shallow so as 
not to injure these tender roots. 
It is also known that the plant in its 
growth uses large amounts of water to dis- 
solve the food in the soil. This then is 
taken in by the roots and finally passed off 
in the air by the process of transpiration of 
the leaves. Each pound of dry material 
of the plant would then be obtained at the 
expense of many pounds of water. From 
this fact conservation of moisture in the soil 
is very important. This may be accom- 
plished by cultivating thoroughly the entire 
surface of the soil, leaving a dust blanket 
to stop the evaporation of water from the 
soil. 
Another point of interest in cultivation is 
the mechanical effect of grinding the soil, 
thereby breaking it up into smaller pieces. 
This may be easily understood when we 
consider how nature breaks up the larger 
rocks by the action of rubbing one on the 
other in the many streams or bodies of water, 
