Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-06-11

The simplest, cheapest, and best method
of making new Strawberry plantations, is
that which we have adopted for many years,
and which we recommend to all. It will b.
recollected that we directed, that between
each row Of Strawberry plants, an alley be
left, two and a half or three feet wide; and
that we suggested its use for the rearing Of
some early crop. If this space is kept well
MANFRED and raked year by year, it will be
in capital condition for making the new
plantation. In the third year, take the run
ners from the old plants and set them out
in the middle of these alleys, and by the
next year, when the old plantation is becom-
ing worthless, these will begin to bear, and
then the old plantations may be spaded up,
and there will be no interruption to the crop
of Strawb berries; and this process may be
repeated from time to time Indefinitely
There is an infallible rule by which per-
sons buying Strawberry plants may ascer-
tain whether they are good OR otherwise
Take the plant and examine the neck by
which, we mean that portion Of the plant to
which the roots are attached, and # it is
found to be small and puny, the plant is
worthless, and should be rejected; whereas,
if it is found to be large and full, the plant
is good, and may be safely selected. Ifthat
neck be cut open with a knife, there will be
found inside the embryo blossoms from
which the future fruit is formed and if they
are large, healthy looking embryos, they
will produce fine, large berries; whereas,
on the other hand, if they are small and
weak, the berries will be small and indifel-
ent. The Strawberry is, in this respect,
like hyracinths, and no person need be taken
in who will have his eyes open.
Thus far, our observations have been d.
rected to those who cultivate only few
Strawberries for family use; and we would
now address a word to those who cultivate
them for market Let level piece of land,
near running stream, or where water can
be procured easily, be selected as the place
for the extensive plantation. AS the chief
expense consists in keeping the land clean,
the cultivator should take care to have his
land well prepared before planting. To
effect this, SOW crop Of rye in the fall Of
the year, which, in the spring Of the ensu-
| ing year, say about the first Of May, will D.
sufficiently grown to be turned under with
the pillow. Sow, Immediately, crop of
peas, which are to be also turned under in
the fall of THAT year, say about September
This will have the double effect of cleaning
the land of all weeds, ETC., and of enriching
the soil sufficiently to produce crop Of
Strawberries. The land being thus ready,
let the directions for planting, &C., hereto
fore given, be pursued.
In conclusion, we would urge all persons
to cultivate this delicious CROP especially
persons living in the vicinage Of our cities.
It always commands good prices, and since
the introduction of the custom of putting up
fruits and vegetables il self-sealing cans,
Strawberries may be proftably cultivated
now by persons living in remote rural dis
tricts. Put up in these cans, they command
a ready sale at remunerative prices, and
many Of our farmers might swell their ar
nual revenues by giving more attention in
this direction