The Cultivation of Fruits 123 
In gardens where small quantities are grown, the fruit 
must be protected from birds, and it is better to net the 
beds over before the fruit begins to colour. If the birds 
once get a taste of the fruit they are most troublesome, 
and if by any chance there should be a hole in the 
netting the birds will find it in their endeavours to obtain 
the fruit. The best way to put the net on is to put posts 
from 2 to 4 ft. high, and run stout cords from one to the 
other, after which the nets may be spread over the top 
and dropped down at the sides. This will allow the net 
to be slipped off conveniently where the posts are only 
2 ft. high; but where they are 4 ft. high, a person can, 
by stooping, get right under without removing any more 
of the net than is necessary. 
When taking strawberries for the table they should 
be picked with the calyx attached, and care should be 
taken to see that they are fully ripe. It often happens 
that in fine sunny weather the fruit will ripen on the side 
towards the sun, but the other side will be quite unripe. 
The fruit should be examined all round before it is picked. 
If it is to be packed for travelling before being used for 
the table, or for exhibition purposes, a quantity of leaves 
should be picked with it, and each fruit should be placed 
in one of the leaflets; the whole being packed firmly, 
layer upon layer, until the box is full. In this way, with 
ordinary care, it should travel without damage. When 
picking for jam, the fruit should be picked without the 
calyx, thus saving time afterwards. It should be packed 
in baskets, with not more than 7 lb. in each, to prevent 
that which is underneath from being smashed. 
The Strawberry plantation should be renewed every 
