152 MODERN STRAWBERRY GROWING 
thin out the plants so that they stand two or 
three inches apart. I prefer to make the 
propagating bed apart from the fruiting bed. 
“In order to keep the berries from getting 
very sandy, place a layer of green grass be- 
tween the rows after the weeding is done. 
Shallow cultivation is good for the plants 
all summer, and even up to picking time. 
With a heavy mulch there will be fewer weeds 
and less evaporation of moisture. When 
the berries are picked, mow the plants close 
to the ground and cultivate between the 
rows to start a new root growth and a new 
growth of foliage so as to have new plants 
instead of old ones for fruiting next year.” 
SELECTING BERRIES FOR THE HOME 
Strawberries for the home garden are 
measured by a standard of their own. One 
of the first considerations for market is 
ability to stand transportation. This means 
a degree of firmness, or perhaps of toughness, 
that will stand knocking about and will keep 
the berries from becoming bruised by the 
jars of rough handling. Growers for market 
are compelled to select such varieties, and 
sometimes this consideration is carried so 
