For the Southern States. 97 



When all is in readiness, liufs should be stret'lind, and the 

 rows rnnde as long hs possible, to suve labor in cuUivation. '^Ihe 

 roo's should be trimmed, and the plants droi)i)ed one f<»ot aput 

 in the lows, a; ways keeping on ihe s.ime side. This rn^iy be done 

 bychil'iren; careful pt^rsons should follow as soon as possib'e, 

 opening the f-oil with a stout pudtlle or steel h >ii(l- planter, pr**>s- 

 ing ihe earth firmly about the plant, alw^iys lakiig care to spr- ad 

 the roots and keep the crown entitely nbove the suiface. More 

 plants are b st yearly from too deep planting thm fiom all other 

 cans* s combined. 



In our Southern climite the strawberry wi'l (u >less the sf-ason 

 is extraordinaiily c 1 1) grow all winter an i pro<iu e a fair crop 

 of fiuit the following spring; hence we will Jip|.re<i t«" tite neces- 

 sity of keeping the ground clean and free f(Oin wint r wi e<is by 

 the use of the htie and cul ivator. Care shonhl also be taken to 

 cultivate lightly and avoid disturbing tije roots. 



MULOHING. 



During the winter the materials for mnlchincr must be gathered 

 and distributed in long pies through the midd es where it will 

 be handy when need<'d. We do not approv^e «»f placing the ma- 

 terial around the plants until wanted, as i^ shades the grou'd, 

 prevents the formation of roots and dev- lopment of tlie fruit buds 

 and foliage. In fact, it needs all the su shine t)os-ible. When 

 the berri* s are about halfgrowt), then the "ork of mulching mu-t 

 be done, if you wish clean and marketable fruit. Ln our pine 

 lands, nothing is better th uj ])ine str iw, bur grass, hroom sedge, 

 forest leaves or branches of evergreen will answer; the fruir and 

 foliige must be lifc'^d carefdlly and the material placed under- 

 neath. The good effects will be seen l»y an abundance of clean, 

 merchantable fmit, and the increased price obtained wh' n off red 

 for sale. Wash Uii the fruit is very object onable ; it is a lazy 

 makeshift, spoils the flavor, ruins the be ry r.nd is a device prac- 

 ticed only by the shiftless growers in the viciuiiy of market to 

 avoid work. 



PICKING AND MARKETING. 



The careful planter will see befretli^ time of piekingr comes 

 that he is provided with an amph^ supply of crates an<l boxes; 

 a shed or piece of canva-^s for sheber, and a low table mad^ 

 of plank foi- packing; al-o a number of checks or cards, with 

 numbers print d thereon — tiie latter to be punched out as each 

 box of fruit is delivered to^th^ superinrendeu' or packer. When 

 aU is ready, each picker should be provided wiih i tra\ or box, with 

 handles, to contain s jy, ten boxes of fruit. Success with s'ra^v- 

 berries depends much on the character of ihe man who raises 

 them. If he gains a reputation for honesty, Crtr ful -ess and f ir 

 dealing he will have to adopt th ■ fol'owing rules: Pick nothing 

 but Nound, weli rijjened and perf-'ct fruit Give good measure, 

 and have the boxes well til ed. Pack tightly in the era es, a>id 

 convey carefully to the shipping point. Select an honest, cap- 



7 



