STRAWBERRIES 61 
C — This shows a plant that has been set at the proper depth. The 
lower part of the erown is bedded firmly in the well-packed earth, while 
the upper part of the crown is free and open, so the new leaves will not 
have to push through the dirt. The roots should not be crowded together. 
They should bo straight, instead of being turned back or twisted; also 
notice that all the leaves have been removed except one. In cultivation 
never loosen the dirt immediately around the crowns of your strawberry 
plants. The roots, where they join the crown, are always near the 
surface of the ground and should never be exposed. 
Setting the Strawberries are sometimes set by plowing out a shal- 
p. , low furrow, but this is not generally recommended. The 
I'lantS hest way is to have the ground prepared and leveled as 
described under "Preparation of Land," and then laid off in rows. The 
rows can be marked with the regulation corn-marker, or, if the field is 
smaU, a string can be used as a guide and the mark made with the edge 
of a spade. Either a spade or a "dibble" can be used for setting the 
plants. In using either tool, thrust it into the ground to a depth of 5 to 
6 inches, and then work it sideways, so as to open out a deep, narrow 
cut. Set the strawberry plants in this opening, straightening the roots, 
spreading them out like a fan. The plant is placed in the ground while 
the tool is still in the opening. When the roots are in place, draw out the 
tool, which lets some of the dirt fall back; then set the tool to one side 
of the first cut, shoving it into the ground again and pressing it sideways 
over against the first hole, in which you have put the plant. This closes 
the dirt about the roots and packs it. 
Setting the plant at just the required depth is very important. The 
beginner is liable to set the plants too deep, so the mud washes into the 
crown, causing it to rot. The careless man often sets them too shallow. 
Just the right method is described on page 60. Be sure to have the dirt 
pressed in tight about the plant. There is no danger of getting it too 
tight. The beginner is almost sure to leave the ground too loose. After 
the plants are set as described above, the dirt should be further pressed 
down by placing one foot on each side of the plant, paclring the dirt tight 
about the roots and lower part of the crown. 
The Hill System. 
The above shows strawberries set In beds. All runners are cut oil. so 
that each plant forms a large hill or stool. This not only olves the largest and 
finest strawberries, but the most from a given piece of ground, and Is espe- 
cially to be recommended for garden culture where the land Is very valuable. 
