87 
seldom requires summer stopping, with the exception of lead- 
ing shoots, of robust habit. 
The winter pruning, or dressing, is pretty well known. The 
bushes having been originally “set out,” or, in other words, 
formed in a proper way, by early training, will be, in general, 
composed of some six or eight main leaders, at the distance of 
a foot apart. Their pruning will now comprise the reduction 
of all that remains of the side spray, of the preceding summer ; 
pruning all such back to within barely an inch of the main 
stems, for at the base of these side shoots, will be found a 
nucleus of embryo blossom buds, out of which the future crop 
must be produced. The points or leading shoots, also, must 
be shortened; about eight inches may be considered the maxi- 
mum to be left. The only further attention required, will be 
the top-dressing of such bushes as may become somewhat ex- 
hausted. In this process a couple of inches of soil should be 
drawn from the surface of the roots, and as much half-rotten 
manure substituted; finishing the whole by a thin coating of 
soil over the manure, to prevent waste of its properties. 
303 The Straw'berry. No fruit is cultivated under a greater 
variety of methods than the Strawberry. Some persons prefer 
growing them in beds, some in single rows, and occasionally 
they are used as edgings. They not unfrequently flourish under 
each of these modes of culture, when it is conducted with due 
attention; but in recommending a plan, which shall combine 
the greatest produce, together with the best flavour, we recom- 
mend rows, at considerable distances, in preference to beds. 
It so happens that the period when Strawberries ripen is very 
frequently unpropitious : July, in this country, is oftentimes 
a rainy month, hence the advantage of widely separated rows, 
on account of their more complete exposure to all the sunshine 
that occurs. 
We can do little better than pursue the mode of culture 
adopted by our commercial gardeners around the metropolis; 
the main feature of their cultivation being as follows; — First, 
to frequently renew the plantations; perhaps three years should 
be the maximum. Secondly, to select a loamy soil of sound 
staple, if possible, and to trench or dig it deeply: this will 
be better than over-forcing the plant with exciting manures. 
Thirdly, to take care that they are well watered in dry seasons, 
284. ACCTARIOM. 
