On arrrival of plants unpack them at once, loosen the bunches and ‘‘heel'’ 
them in the ground or dip their roots in a "puddle” made hj' mixing earth in 
water until of the consistency of cream, and lay away in a cool, damp cellar, 
where they can neither dry nor freeze, until they can be planted in suitable 
weather Do not leave in package and pour water over them, as that will 
surely cause the plants to heat and spoil. In planting, take but few plants 
from the trench or package at a time, and expose as little as possible to the wind 
or sun. Never plant on a windy day and never in freezing weather. Do not 
plant very deep, l>ut pre.ss the earth firmly about the roots. Should the weather 
be warm, .shade plants for a few days with a handful of course litter 
over plants, or with berry baskets or boxes, (old rejected ones are as good 
as any.j 
For hill culture, plant in beds four feet wide with alleys two feet between 
them. Plant in each bed three rows of plants fifteen inches apart, and the 
plants the same distance apart in the rows. For the matted row system, plant 
in rows four feet apart anil the plants a fo<A apart in the rows, requiring 14,520’ 
plants per acre. For the best results, mulching with some light material is in- 
dispen.sable, which should be applied just as soon as the ground has become 
slightly frozen, and partially or entirely removed when the ground has become 
“settled” in the .spring. It is well to plant at least three varieties — medinin, 
early and late — to extend the season to its full limit. 
The blossoms of all varieties are bi-sexnal or perfect e.xcept those marked 
with the letter P, which are ilestitnte of stamens and are termed “pistillate” or 
k 
I'ERl'KCT RLOSSOM 
Pi.stillate varieties must have a row of a per- 
fect-flowered sort planted eight or twelve 
among them, or what is better yet, every 
third or fourth plant in the row, to pol- 
lenize their blossom.s. 
Dipeach bunch of plants in a bucket of 
water, deep enough to wet all the roots 
but not the leaves, just before setting out. 
Plant about five inches 
i.MPRRF’T ui.ossoM deep, spreading the roots somewhet and 
covering so that the crowns will be .slightly above the surface of the bed. I'irm 
very carefully, barge beds should be rolled as soon as set out. Cultivate or 
hoe soon after setting, and often enough to keep all weeds down. Let enough 
runners take root to make the rows twelve incjies wide, with plants standing six 
inches apart each way; then carefully remove all other runners, and remember 
that the success of your bed depends largely on the care with which this work 
is done. Keep this treatment up until stopped by winter, then mulch with 
straw, and you have only to wait for your crop, one of the most certain, profit- 
able, delightful, and interesting that can be grown. Hone meal, ashes, or well- 
rotted manure, may be applied any time in the early summer to advantage. 
Quantities— 500 and 1,000, 50 at 100 rates. 
