FRUIT CULTURE IN WISCONSIN. 
347 
which have discouraged others. The strawberry readily adapts 
itself to our climate, loving- a deep and well pulverized soil, 
which must not be too retentive of water, as the plants will not 
thrive upon water-soaked premises; and at the same time no 
plant is more sensitive to the drouth. If the ground is not 
worked deep, the plants will not receive any moisture from un¬ 
derneath, and in a dry time, which the West is very subject to ? 
the ground will be baked and cracked to the loss of bothfruit and 
plants. The ground should be workec^fifteen to eighteen inches 
deep in any good garden soil. Stimulating manures should be 
avoided. Lime and potash enter largely into the composition 
of the plants, and may be applied at any time by mixing with 
the soil, or as a top dressing. 
The most convenient way of planting is in beds four feet 
wide. Two beds of this width and thirty-two feet long, will 
furnish all the berries an ordinary sized family can use. The 
plants should be set in early spring. Avoid summer or fall 
planting, (unless by negligence it is not done in spring) as the 
chances are then greater against their doing well; neither 
will they yield any more fruit the next season, than if set out 
six months later, (viz, April.) Having examined the vines and 
cut off all the dead portions attached about the roots, also the 
decayed and fully grown leaves, set the plants in rows two feet 
apart, and one foot from the edge of the bed, and one foot dis¬ 
tant in the row. The bed being kept narrow makes it easier 
gathering the fruit, and more convenient cleaning the ground 
from weeds. Much care should be observed, especially in the 
early part of the season, not to break down the vines, by step¬ 
ping upon them, or, as is the habit with some, kneeling upon 
them, while weeding or picking the fruit. Keep the ground 
free h from weeds, and let the runners remain. By fall, the ground 
will be nearly covered with young plants, which will fruit 
abundantly the next season. A few imperfect berries are fre¬ 
quently found the first year. As cold weather approaches, cov¬ 
er the beds with straw from the stack, so that it will be one or 
two inches deep, after setting. This covering is not applied 
