344 THE FLORIST AND 



ger of a defective, half-ripened crop, or the plants burning out, as frequently 

 happens on poor, shallow soil, for although the strawberry is a plant of 

 small structure, I have traced the roots, in favorable soils, a distance of 

 three feet from the surface. 



There are various methods of arranging the plants. They may be placed 

 in rows thirty inches apart, the plants standing one foot from each other in 

 the row, or, planted in beds six feet wide, thus admitting of four rows, the 

 plants fifteen inches apart. Some strong growing varieties require more 

 space than the above to attain their greatest perfection, and such as the 

 Boston Pine, Goliah, &c, do best in hills thirty inches or three feet apart. 

 The best method for garden culture is the first-mentioned, keeping between 

 the rows clear of weeds and runners, unless the latter are required for a 

 new plantation, which, on the principal of rotative cropping, should be done 

 every third or fourth year, as the plants seem to retain their vigor and fruit- 

 fulness. 



Young plantations may be set out a.t various seasons ; either at midsum- 

 mer, fall or early spring. As early as young plants can be obtained, say 

 about the last of July or beginning of August, is the time for midsummer 

 planting. Choosing a cloudy day for the operation, the plants immediately 

 on removal should have their roots preserved for dipping them in a puddle. 

 This system of encasing roots with a coat of mud, is very useful and efficient, 

 and maybe practised in the transplanting of all young plants in dry weather, 

 as it obviates, in a great degree, subsequent attention in watering. A thin 

 covering of short grass, or litter of any description, should now be laid 

 about the young plants. Planted thus early, a good growth will follow, the 

 plants mature bud before winter, and produce an average crop the follow- 

 ing season. 



Fall planting is frequently practised, and if the plants are set out early, 

 not later than the middle of September, they will root and get somewhat 

 established before winter ; but the alternate freezing and thawing of the soil 

 during winter, throws them out of the ground, unless the soil is of a sandy 

 nature and protected with a covering of litter. Instead of planting them 

 out permanently in the fall, it is more advisable to place them a few inches 

 apart in a sheltered spot, where they can be preserved by a covering of 

 leaves all winter, and planted out early in spring. This practice not only 

 affords time for a suitable and thorough preparation of the ground, but the 

 plants being carefully lifted with small balls of earth to their roots, will pro- 

 duce a more uniform and vigorous plantation, than those permanently 

 planted out in the fall. 



