Care
must also be exercised in not working clay when it is too wet or
too dry. Mulch also plays an important part on heavy clay, for it
prevents the soil from baking and cracking. One of the best
methods of preventing this is to top-dress the ground with stable-
manure, and hoe it in from time to time when fighting the weeds.
This keeps the surface open and mellow--a vital necessity for
vigorous growth. Few plants will thrive when the surface is hard
and baked. Nevertheless, if I had to choose between heavy clay and
light sand for strawberries, I should much prefer the clay. On the
last-named soil an abundant winter protection is absolutely
necessary, or else the plants will freeze entirely out of the
ground.
The native strain of cultivated strawberries has so much vigor and
power of adaptation that plenty of excellent varieties can be
grown on the lightest soil. In this instance, however, we would
suggest important modifications in preparation and culture. The
soil, as has been already shown, must be treated like a
spendthrift. Deep plowing or spading should be avoided, as the
subsoil is too loose and leachy already. The initial enriching of
the bed should be generous, but not lavish. You cannot deposit
fertilizers for long-continued use. I should prefer to harrow or
rake in the manure, leaving it near the surface.
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