222 "^HE FRUIT GARDEN. [March. 
dig in some rotten manure, it will be of considerable service to the 
plants, and promote a production of large fruit. 
In choosing the plants for this plantation, observe to select the 
outward young suckers of strong and robust growth, all of last 
summer's production, not less than two feet, but the more eligible 
if from three to five feet long, with strength in proportion — digging 
them up with full roots, preferring those with roots the most fibrous, 
for this is material in those plantsj and, as sometimes one, two, or 
more buds appear, formed on the root near the bottom of the stem, 
for next summer's shoots, such plants are particularly to be chosen, 
if to be had. 
Previous to planting shorten^ the shoots, cutting off about one 
fourth of their length, trim the roots and cut away any old stumps 
or hard woody parts annexed thereto, then plant them in rows four 
feet and a half asunder, and from two to three feet distant in the 
rows; they will produce some fruit next summer and more abun- 
dantly the second year, &c. 
Dig the ground between your old plantations of raspberries after 
pruning, taking out the suckers, &c. as directed last month. 
Digging the Fruit Tree Borders. 
Dig the fruit tree borders as early in this month as you find the 
ground to work freely, previously giving them a good dressing of 
well rotted manure. This will be serviceable to the trees, the bor- 
ders will appear neat, and be ready to receive any small crops, 
which may be proper to sow or plant therein. 
Straivberries. 
The strawberry plants will now begin to push, therefore the 
sooner they receive their spring dressing after the weather becomes 
tolerably favourable the better. 
Clear the beds from weeds, and the plants from decayed leaves 
and old runners: it is most adviseable to keep the plants in single 
bunches, clear of each other, so that there may be room to hoe be- 
tween, and occasionally to dig round them with a narrow spade or 
trowel, by which means they will fruit in much better perfection 
than if crowded together. 
The beds being cleared from litter, loosen the earth between the 
plants; and if you add a little fresh earth from the alleys, &c. to 
the beds, drawing it close to the plants, it will greatly strengthen 
them, and cause them to flower strong and bear plentifully. 
Strawberries may be planted about the middle or latter end of 
the month, but if planted in September, or early in October, they 
would bear fruit the summer following; not but those planted now 
will take root freely and bear some fruit, but they will be few in 
comparison to those of the autumn planting; however, next year 
they will bear abundantly. 
The proper sets for planting are the young offsets and runner- 
plants of the last summer, which procure of the strongest stocky 
