666 
THE STRAWBERRY. 
fore putting out the plants. But even ifi this is not necessary 
it should be dug deeply, and well enriched with strong manure 
beforehand. 
The best exposure for strawberries is an open one, fully ex* 
posed to the sun and light. 
Culture in Rows. The finest strawberries are always ob- 
tained when the plants are kept in rows , at such a distance 
apart as to give sufficient space for the roots, and abundance of 
light and air for the leaves. 
In planting a plot of strawberries in rows, the rows should be 
two feet apart, and the plants, of the large-growing kinds, two 
feet from each other in the rows ; of the smaller-growing kinds, 
from one foot to eighteen inches is sufficient. The runners must 
be kept down by cutting them off at least three times a year, 
and the ground must be maintained in good order by constant 
dressing. During the first year, a row of any small vegetables 
may be sown in the spaces between the rows. Every autumn, 
if the plants are not luxuriant, a light coat of manure should be 
dug in between the rows ; but if they are very thrifty, it must 
be omitted, as it would cause them to run too much to leaf. 
A light top-dressing of leaves, or any good compost, applied 
late in the fall, though not necessary, greatly promotes the 
vigour of the plants, and secures the most tender kinds against 
the effects of an unusually cold winter. Before the fruit ripens, 
the ground between the rows should be covered with straw, or 
light new-mown grass, to keep it clean. 
A plantation of this kind in rows will be found to bear the 
largest and finest fruit, which, being so fully exposed to the sun, 
will always be sweeter and higher-flavoured than that grown in 
crowded beds. A plantation in rows is generally in full perfec- 
tion the third year, and must always be renewed after the fourth 
year. 
Culture in alternate Strips. A still more easy and eco- 
nomical mode is that of growing the strawberry in alternate strips. 
Early in April, or in August, being provided with a good 
stock of strong young plants, select a suitable piece of good 
deep soil. Dig in a heavy coat of stable manure, pulverizing 
well and raking the top soil. Strike out the rows, three feet 
apart, with a line. The plants should now be planted along 
each line about a foot apart in the row. They will soon 
send out runners, and these runners should be allowed to take 
possession of every alternate strip of three feet — the other strip 
being kept bare by continually destroying all runners upon it, 
the whole patch being kept free of all weeds. The occupied 
strip or bed of runners will now give a heavy crop of strawber- 
ries, and the open strip of three feet will serve as an alley from 
which to gather the fruit. After the crop is over, dig and pre- 
pare this alley or strip for the occupancy of the new runners 
