6n arrival of plants, unpack them at once, loosen the bunches and "heel" them in the ground or dip their 

 roots in a "muddle," made by mixing earth in water until of the consistency of cream, and lay away in a cool, 

 damp cellar, where they can neither dry nor freeze, until they can be planted in suitable weather. Do not lea^e 

 in package and pour water over them, as this will surely cause the plants to heat and spoil. The Strawberry de- 

 lights in a deep, rich, moist soil but will succeed almost anywhere if well manured. In planting, take bu* few 

 plants from the trench or package at a time, and expose as little as possible to the wind or sun. For setting in 

 spring the roots of the plants should be shortened about one-third, causing them to 

 quickly emit a profusion of soft, new fibrous roots. The operation should be per- 

 formed with a sharp knife taking a handful of plants in the left hand, as shown in 

 Fig. 782. All Strawberry plants sent out by us are tied in bundles with roots 

 straightened out (see Fig. 786) all one way, so that they are easily handled and the 

 roots shortened for planting. Is ever plant on a windy day 

 and never in freezing weather. Do not plant very deep, 

 but press the earth firmly about the roots. Should the 

 weather be warm, shade valuable plants for a few days ^^aT 

 with a handful of coarse litter over each plant, or with |:< r 

 berry baskets or boxes (old rejected ones are as good as any). 



For hill culture, plant in beds four feet wide, with alleys 

 two feet between them. Plant in each bed three rows of 

 plants fifteen inches apart, and the plants the same distance 

 apart in the rows. For the matted row system, plant in 

 rows three feet apart, and the plants a foot apart in the 

 rows, requiring 14, .520 plants per acre. For the best re- 

 sults, mulching with some light material is indispensable, 

 which should be applied just as soon as the ground has be- 

 come slightly frozen, and partially or entrrely removed when the ground has be- 

 come "settled" in spring. It is well to plant at least three varieties — early, 

 mediiun and late — to expand the season to its full limits. 



The blossoms of all varieties are bi-sexual or perfect, except those marked with 

 the letter P, which are destitute of stamens and are termed pistillate or imperfect. 

 Pistillate varieties must have a row of a perfect-flowered sort, planted every nine 

 Fig. 782. or twelve feet among them, or, better yet, every third or fourth plant in the row, 



to pollenize their blossoms. There is no good reason for the popular prejudice against pistillate varieties except 

 where only one variety is desired; when grown near perfect-flowered varieties the pistillates are the most pro- 

 ductive of all. 



Plants are sent by mail at dozen rates if desired. If ordered by the 100 to go by mail add 25c. per 100 

 to the prices quoted. At 1,000 rates by express only. 



Fig. 786. 



TO^BB BS^IGHT STAINS 



MOST BEAUTIFUL 



