8 
Bulletin 53. 
among the plants. Train the runners within the limits of the 
matted row, and when enough plants are formed cut those that 
encroach upon the space between rows. 
There are differences of opinion regarding spring cultivation of 
an established bed. Some allow the mulch to remain, and hold 
that it is best not to disturb the ground until after fruiting. Others 
remove the mulch and cultivate the spaces until fruit begins to set. 
We find it best to remove the mulch, because it interferes with 
furrowing for irrigation. The spaces are cultivated after each 
irrigation, until near the fruiting season, then furrows are made so 
that water can be applied as needed, and the bed is not further 
disturbed until after the fruit is picked. 
MULCHING. 
Mulching is regarded as an essential to success. It protects the 
plants from the ill effects of freezing and thawing consequent to the 
extreme daily range of temperature common during February and 
March, and it retards blooming, thus diminishing the danger from 
spring frosts. A light cover answers every purpose. Heavy mulch¬ 
ing is unnecessary, and if too heavy may injure the plants. Hay, 
straw, coarse manure, leaves, and cornstalks have all been used as 
mulches. Marsh or swamp hay, if free from weeds, makes an 
admirable mulch, but often is not obtainable. Wheat straw is 
better than oat straw, because usually threshed cleaner, but with 
either kind it is safer to use old rather than new. If the bed to be 
mulched is exposed to strong winds, it will be necessary to use brush 
or poles to prevent the straw blowing from the plants. Coarse 
manure is usually objectionable as a mulch, because of the weed 
seeds it is likely to contain. 
SELECTION OF VARIETIES. POLLINATION. 
Varieties of strawberries are many, and choice of kinds should 
be made with reference to the proposed disposition of the fruit. If 
for home use or home market, high flavor in connection with size 
and productiveness would govern the choice, but if for shipment to 
distant markets, firmness and long keeping would be of first im¬ 
portance, and must be given preference over other good qualities. 
No variety has all the desirable qualities equally developed, that is, 
the ideal, all-purpose berry has not yet been produced, and the best 
we can do is to choose the nearest approach to an ideal for our 
specific purpose. 
Choice can not be made from reports upon a particular variety 
for some other locality, but must rest upon actual trial in your own 
locality, because, as we have already remarked, the same variety 
may behave very differently under unlike surroundings. For 
commercial growing it is best to confine the attention to few- 
varieties, and be certain before planting largely that these varieties 
