474 



GROWING STRAWBERRIES 



planted from 18 to 24 inches apart in the row, whereas CatskiU 

 is usually spaced 40 inches. 



A space between rows should be retained in which the 

 pickers may walk. There is danger also of having the rows 

 so wide that ripe berries in the centers are overlooked. By 

 having the pickers pick from each side to the center of the row 



this difficulty is reduced but 

 not entirely eliminated, since 

 workers will not reach in to 

 pick the centers as carefully 

 as where the rows are 

 narrow. 



In dry seasons, owing to 

 the competition between 

 plants for moisture, the ber- 

 ries may run small. On the 

 other hand, under this sys- 

 tem a full stand is almost 

 certain) for, although some 

 mother plants may be lost 

 and the last runners to de- 

 velop may kill out, there are 

 sufficient remaining to give 

 an even stand. The total 

 yield over a period of years 

 will be greater under the 

 matted row system than any 

 other. 



Modifications of this sys- 

 tem are known as hedge 

 rows. The new plants are spaced according to a definite plan 

 and extra runners and plants are removed. Good results may 

 be obtained, but the amount o^ hand labor is increased. 



The hill system is used extensively in Oregon, Washington, 

 and the far South. It is used to some extent in all sections for 

 the home garden. Plants are spaced 12 to 15 inches apart in 



Fig. 183. The beginning of the 

 matted row; mother plants in the 

 center. The soil must be kept loose 

 60 that the runner plants may root 

 readily. See Fig. 184. 



