516 Report oF THE HorTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT OF THE 
and of the plants in the row should vary somewhat, depending on 
the natural richness of the soil and on the ability of the variety to 
make runners. Those producing the largest number of plants, such 
as Mark Hanna, Ridgeway, Senator Dunlap, etc., may be set as 
far apart as four by two and one-half or three feet while the kinds 
making but few plants may be set three feet by eighteen inches, 
or even closer, an average distance for many varieties being three 
by two feet. 
Time of setting the plants— Periods of drought usually occur 
during the fall months and when plants are set under such condi- 
tions there may be considerable loss. It is difficult for the plants to 
make a satisfactory growth until the drought is broken, which 
period is often delayed until late in the season, leaving but a short 
time for growth before checked by cold weather. Fall set plants 
require winter protection and the usual cultural care during the 
ensuing summer followed by a second winter’s protection before a 
full crop may be secured. In order to shorten the time from plant- 
ing to fruitage and at the same time to secure better weather and 
soil conditions, it is the practice among the majority of growers to 
set early in the spring as soon as the soil and plants are in good con- 
dition for this work. ‘The transplanting season, however, may ex- 
tend through a long period beginning early in April and extending 
well through May. Plants obtained by rooting the first runners in 
sirall pots are sometimes set in early fall, but these are usually too 
expensive. 
Summer treatment.— The work of cultivation should begin as 
soon as the plants are set and the soil should be thoroughly stirred 
about the plants as occasion requires, encouraging a steady normal 
growth throughout the season. Fruitage lessens plant growth. The 
blossom clusters should therefore be removed as soon as they ap- 
pear in order to obtain stronger parent plants from which the 
runners are to develop. The first runners should be encouraged 
to root as scon as possible to give a long season for the young 
plants to develop in size and maturity. They should not become 
crowded. Some growers make a practice of removing some of 
these latter plants. 
Winter treatment.— Repeated freezing and thawing weaken the 
plants and often greatly reduce the yield of fruit. To secure best 
results winter protection should be given. The most desirable cov- 
ering in one which is free from weed seeds, spreads evenly, is not 
blown off by heavy winds and does not smother the plants. Vari- 
