Still another champion appears in behalf of removing the old leaves of strawberry vines. A subscriber lately asked the Rural New Yorker if it was safe to cut off these leaves, and in general soliciting the opinion of the readers as to defoliating strawberry plants. To which another subscriber, M. O. Bowen replies :

I keep from one-eighth to one-fourth of an acre in strawberries. My patch is universally admired by every one that sees it. I have heard but one expression in regard to it and that is they never saw better and they never saw as good. In the first place it is all important that we have the right kind of soil in order to grow a good crop. Mine is a clay loam, and I think for vigorous plants, productiveness and flavor of fruit this is the best.

I set my plants twenty-four by thirty-four inches apart and keep them in hills. After the fruit is all gathered I take a sharp sickle and cut off all the runners and the old foliage and stems, being careful not to disturb the crown or new leaves that have started. Then I go through them with a hoe, clean out all the weeds, at the same time pulling out all weeds and grass that may be in the hills. I leave all the foliage on the ground.

My advice to Mr. Calkins is never to spade or fork the ground among strawberries, for in doing so he will disturb the roots and shorten the life of the plants. It matters not how compact the ground, if they are kept clear of weeds and grass. The above treatment has enabled me to pick this season from less than one-quarter of an acre forty bushels of berries, notwithstanding the frost killed very many of the first blossoms. Varieties raised are Wilson's Albany and Jucunda.