240 



THE GAEDENEE'S ASSISTANT. 



Cultivation. — After the plantation has been 

 completed, the ground should be kept clear of 

 weeds, and the surface stirred. Eunners should 

 not be cut off on their first appearance, other- 

 wise a superabundance of foliage is induced; 

 but when the runner has formed a second joint 

 or bud, it may be cut off near to the plant from 

 which it springs, unless wanted for propagation. 



After August all runners should be taken off 

 as they make their appearance. 



With regard to the removal of the foliage 

 before it has faded, much has been said both for 

 and against this proceeding. We believe it to be 

 advantageous or the contrary according to the 

 time and manner in which the operation is per- 

 formed. To mow down the foliage, young and 



Fig. 1036.— Strawberry— Fillbasket : one plant. (J.) 



old indiscriminately, is doubtless injurious; but 

 the removal of the old leaves at the proper 

 time must prove beneficial, inasmuch as more 

 light is in consequence admitted to the young 

 and active portion of the foliage. The practice 

 is adopted by the Bath growers, so celebrated 

 for their magnificent Strawberries, some of 

 which have measured fully 7 inches in circum- 

 ference, and who, as soon as the fruit is 

 gathered, cut off all the old leaves with a 

 knife. This is certainly preferable to mowing 

 them with a scythe, for with the knife the old 

 foliage can be removed and the young spared. 



These young and vigorous leaves are in a 

 condition to elaborate sap to form equally 

 vigorous roots for supplying abundant nourish- 

 ment to the ensuing crop. After it is gathered, 

 the knife is again immediately employed to re- 

 move all old leaves, in order to give space and 

 light for new ones. And inasmuch as the large 



amount of fresh foliage thus annually encouraged 

 produces a corresponding amount of new tissue, 

 the plants are so far annually regenerated. 



Mulching between the rows of Strawberries, 

 as performed by many growers, is very advan- 

 tageous. Before this is done, however, it is 

 essential to surface dress the soil close up to 

 the plants with freshly slaked lime to keep in 

 check both slugs and wire -worms. It serves 

 to keep the ground moist and the fruit clean, 

 as well as to afford nourishment to the plants. 

 This mulch should consist of stable litter, put 

 on in spring as soon as the fruit is set. It 

 helps to keep the fruit clean and the soil moist. 

 In poor soils the mulch may consist of horse- 

 droppings, covered with at least 1 inch thick of 

 clean straw, laid on just when the plants are 

 coming into flower ; and by watering frequently 

 in dry weather the manure is washed down 

 amongst the roots by the time the fruit is ripe, 



