22 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
August 2, 1909 
View of “Ivanhoe,” Residence of the Mr. George Brookman, Gilberton, S.A. 
—Vines.— 
In working around vines keep a sharp 
look out for the pups of the vine 
moth. If there are any old partially 
rotted stakes, the moths will be found 
adhering to these, and also under the old 
bark which is hanging to the vine. Crush 
these wherever found, and thus assist in - 
keeping down this post as far as pos- 
sible. . - 
Growers who intend using quick-acting 
fertilisers should make the first appli- 
cation this month. It is best not to 
apply too much at one time, but rather 
make two applications—one now, and one 
after the fruit is well set. 
Strawberry Culture. 
Notwithstanding that there are numer- 
ous localities admirably suited to the 
cultivation of the strawberry, in which 
other forms of fruit-growing are 
practised, this herbaceous perennial is 
not as extensively grown as it should be. 
Strawberries require to be newly planted 
every three or four years, for they seldom 
bear profitable crops in land where their 
culture has extended over this period. In 
many places the money value of a straw- 
berry crop does not appear to be recog- 
nised. Particularly is this the case 
where young orchards are being com- 
menced. In these instances the straw - 
berry might well be utilised to provide a 
return over the four years of waiting that 
must be undergone, while the young 
trees are coming into bearing. Until the 
fruit trees are five or six years of age 
they do not require the ten feet of soil on 
either side of them; but it must never- 
theless be cultivated. This being the 
case, the labor might be made productive 
of profit, if the land between the rows are 
used for strawberry-growing. Of course, 
all soils are not suited to strawberries ; 
but where the Jand is of a light, loamy 
nature, and fairly retentive of moisture, 
this plant will generally flourish. 
— Preparing the Land. — 
Strawberries succeed best when planted 
in virgin soil. Occasionally growers are 
met with who have obtained good results 
from replanting upon a former site, a 
year or two after the original plantation 
has served its term of usefulness, When 
such a course is followed, it is advisable 
that the land should receive liberal 
dressings of manure; and thorough 
cultivation. Eyen then it is not alto- 
gether to be recommended, for old land 
is seldom free from weeds, and is con- 
sequently more difficult to keep clean, 
The selection of a suitable site presents 
but little difficulty, so long as gradual 
slopes are available, though where 
obtainable, a position receiving the bene- 
fit of the afternoon sun is to be preferred. 
The land should be prepared in the same 
way as for young trees. A good deep 
ploughing should be given, and the soil 
then allowed to remain in fallow until 
the following season, when it should be 
turned over again and harrowed fre- 
quently, so as to thoroughly pulverise 
the clods and make the soil loose and 
workable, Some growers advocate the 
growing of a crop, before planting with 
strawberries, as they claim that the 
ground is made more accessible for the 
penetration of the young roots. This 
is, however, a matter for the grower to 
decide, for so soon as the soil is well 
broken up and aired, the young plants 
