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 im- 

 perfect, as shown by the following fig- 

 ures. Pistillate varieties must have a 

 row of a perfect-flowered sort planted 

 every nine or twelve feet apart among 



them, or, better yet. every third or fourth p isxiLL A T£,or imperfect 



Bi-sexcal, or perfect, row, to pollenize their blossoms, "When properly fertilized 



the pistillate varieties are the most prolific, and there is no reason for any prejudice 



against them. Success depends in a great measure on getting fine, healthy plants, 



strictly pure and true to name: This we know our plants to be. 



In shipping plants, we send out nothing but young plants, as shown in Fig. 788, 

 grown under the so-called "pedigree system." We never send out old plants. "When 

 grown on deep, black soil the roots of young plants are of a dark color, nut soft, 

 succulent and nearly uniform in rize and appearance, as shown by the figure just 

 referred to. With old plants the lower roots are black, dead and wiry, with gener- 

 ally a few young roots just below where the leaves are joined to the crown, is shown 

 in Fig, 787. We clean all plants of dead J eaves and tie in bunches (Fig. 786) before 

 packing. To ship long distances in good condition, and to overcome the danger of 

 damage in shipment we pack large lots in cases designed and manufactured express- 

 ly for the purpose. 



r^ 



Young Plants. Fig. 



^ 



Plants Buxched. Fig. 766. 



Old Plants. Fig. :s; 



When and How to Plant. 



Early Spring, just as soon as the ground can be easily worked, is the best time of 

 the whole year to plant Strawberries, in any section where there are extreme fronts 

 in winter, especially if planting is to be done on a large scale and plants have to be 

 brought from a distance. How to plant will depend largely upon local conditions, 

 size and shape of the field, etc. In the small family garden or city lot where there 

 is little chance to use horse and cultivator, they may be planted one foot apart each 

 way, in two or three rows; then leave a space of three feet to furnish a path during 



