GARDEN STRAWBERRIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 74, 18 June 1927, Page 16

GARDEN STRAWBERRIES

THE TIME TO PLANT Every gardener should cultivate a small bed of strawberries (Fragarla). The strawberry will grow in any good soil provided it is thoroughly trenched with well-rotted cow or stable manure. The finest strowberries are generally grown in cool districts on a slight slope facing the early sun. The first thing to do is to select the most suitable variety for planting:. Marguerite or Waikato strawberry :1s a great favourite in Auckland. Ettsbesg is a smaller berry than the above, but much sweeter. Captain Cook, the new variety, seems to be an improvement on both varieties, the berries being large and rounded and a heavy cropper. This berry commanded top prices in the market last season. The above three varieties are the best for the Auckland district.

Set out the straw berries as early as possible in June. Early planting is advisable, as they have a chance to get established before It gets too dry. Plant in rows 18in. apart and 2ft. between the rows. Overcrowding is not advisable. This gives room for i.valking between the rows when picking. Set each plant carefully keeping the crown level with the top of the ground. On no account cover the crown.

After planting mulch the strawberries with straw or rotted stable manure. Keep the rows well hoed. This will keep the soil loose and work in the manure. During the dry weather frequent watering should be given and liquid manure applied every ten days after they show flower. This will help to produce a second crop. The old plants will throw out runners as shown in diagram. Nip off any that are not required, and when the growing shoots are rooted transplant into a bed 6in. apart, to make fresh stock for next season. For dry rocky situations where nothing else will grow one could not do better than plant the- Cactus Aloes. These succulent plants will (stand months without water, growing to a height of 3 to 4ft., and throwing up long spikes of scarlet flowers resembling red hot pokers. They bloom during the winter, when colour in the garden is most wanted.

The hint was enough. Bear in mind, this was no revolutior.ai'y movement directed against the King. It