148 MODERN STRAWBERRY GROWING 
be kept from direct contact with the plants, 
I cover the beds with a light covering of 
meadow hay or rye straw. The common 
mistake is to use too much of this; just a light 
covering is all that is required. Over this lay 
some pea brush to keep it from blowing away.” 
THE SPRING-PLANTED BED 
The general routine of management of the 
strawberry bed has been well described by 
another successful cultivator (Mr. W. H. 
Jenkins) thus: 
“Tt is of the greatest importance that the 
new strawberry bed for fruiting next year 
(and which was set in spring) be kept free 
from weeds. Begin cultivation before the 
weeds appear. Do not wait for the ground to 
bake hard, but start the cultivator while the 
soil is mellow. A garden wheel hoe, with 
large wheels, having such attachments as 
ploughs, rakes, cultivators, teeth, etc., is the 
best tool to use. For the first cultivation 
put on the ploughs and run the wheel hoe 
both ways between the rows of plants, which 
should be at least two feet apart each way 
and in check rows. Cut the soil quite deeply 
between the rows each way to aerate and 
