Nothing yields better returns, either in health and vigor, or in money, to a girl living out of town, than the culture of small fruits : of these, strawberries are, in many respects, the most desirable. To begin with, she needs but little capital; but she must have a love of outdoor life, energy, application, and the determination to succeed.

If she can have the use of a plot of ground, say an eighth or a quarter of an acre, or less, and can get it rightly prepared, with sufficient plants for the bed, she has, with the aid of those qualities first named, all the real elements of success. In the latitude of New York or Philadelphia the land is apt to be sandy or loamy, and gives, when well cared for, large, sweet, and abundant fruit.

We will suppose our maiden to have at command an eighth of an acre of good soil (moist, but not too wet or low), and near the house. She will, about the middle of August, have it spread thick with a large load of old, well-rotted stable-manure: if possible, a little muck or wood-ashes must be mixed with this. When the ground is suitably dry, it must be ploughed and harrowed; and, having secured her roots, she will at once set to work.

How many plants will be needed? That is easily computed. We remember that there are 43,560 square feet in an acre : this, divided by the number of square feet occupied by each plant, will give the exact sum required to cover a single acre. For instance, strawberries are set out in rows, generally three feet apart one way, and one foot the other; so that each root occupies three square feet. Take three, then, as the divisor of 43,560, and we have the quotient -which will be ample for the acre - of 14,520. One-eighth of this gives 1,815, the number of berry-roots required for our plot.

But we must first settle on the variety, - a hard choice where there are so many favorites. If the market is close at hand (and it ought to be for young managers and small beds), a softer, sweeter kind can be raised than when they are to be sent to a distance. The Crescent Seedling, Seth Boyden, Jocunda, Sharpless, Charles Downing, and the new James Vick, are all excellent, as are many others.

The roots ought to be brought from the nursery just before setting out: if not, they can be kept damp by sprinkling. On no account must they be left to dry.

After the ground is marked lengthwise into furrows, the plants can easily be set out regularly, with the aid of a stick marked into lengths of a foot each. This should be just before night, or before a shower, to avoid a scorching sun. With a garden-trowel dig a cavity in the ground; spread out the little roots within it very carefully; fill in the earth lightly but closely, and press hard about the stems. This is soon finished. It is desirable that the bed should be well watered every night until it rains, after which they will no longer need that care.

In about a week, with a small rake - there are all sorts of light tools for just such purposes in hardware stores -scratch the surface of the earth between the rows gently, but do not disturb the roots; and keep the bed free from weeds until cold weather.

At the time heavy frosts appear, in November, rake up from the nearest clump of trees sufficient dead leaves for winter blankets for the young vines, underneath which they will sleep quietly till spring, especially if pains be taken to press them down, though not too tightly, by means of boards and brush. Not only does this protect them from thawing and freezing, but the leaf-mould is excellent nourishment for the plants. If more convenient, use straw or refuse hay.

By the first of the next April, all this must be removed. The leaves or straw may be raked between the wide rows to serve for mulching. By it the berries are kept from beating into the dirt by rain. If the ground is not well covered, more straw must be used and every weed that dares show its head must be pulled. As little runners creep out on this side and that, pinch them off; so that the entire strength of the plant may be kept to nourish its luscious fruit.

The reward for this care will soon appear in starlike blossoms, which quickly change into green berries, ripening under the glowing heat of the sun. It is a wonderful transformation scene, and good mother Nature is the enchantress. And, the more we study her methods of working, the greater will be our admiration and delight.

By the last week of May, fragrant crimson cones will be ready to melt in the mouth, while busy fingers gather in the delicious harvest. Of course no one will be allowed to enter this choice plot who is not careful about stepping on vines and leaves, or who injures them by flowing skirts, and no child with soiled fingers will be permitted to mar one of these perishable beauties. When possible, too, the fruit must be picked in the cool of the day, just before twilight.

After the picking season is over, the bed still needs to be kept free from runners and weeds. If you wish new plants for another bed, however, you have only to let the runners grow, and when they take root (as they will in a few weeks), cut the connection between the new plant and the parent stem. If properly managed, the original bed will remain good for four years. Every fall it ought to be spaded, and manure should be mixed with the earth. This must be old, from the stable; or it may be wood-ashes or ground bone. The plant consumes a great deal of what we call waste material, but which is rich in substances, that, by some mysterious process, it converts into fruit.

For such a small plot, little help will be required in picking berries, and none in cultivation, after the ground is once in order, and the annual spading is done.

And what should be the result ?

First, a deal of health, strength, and happiness, with a new knowledge of the habits of plants and of the laws of nature.

In regard to pecuniary profit, some report as high as six, seven, or eight hundred dollars an acre; but that is had only by the most successful gardeners during fine seasons, when all conditions are nearly perfect. The ordinary cultivation must not begin with great expectations, and end with bitter disgust. Intelligence and faithful work will be sure to give due reward. Add to the cash account a great deal of enjoyment, some practical knowledge of gardening, and a glad sense of having done something useful, and done it well.

The record of an average year will be something like this, varying, of course, according to the richness of the soil, its cultivation, and the season. The price is subject to change also.

Dr.

To ploughing, harrowing, and laying out one-eighth an acre .     $1.00

" manure...........       3.00

" 1,815 plants at $4.50 per thousand......       8.16

" tools, — rake, hoe, trowel, etc.......       1.00

Total...........$13.16

On the other hand : Cr. 587 quarts of berries at 14 cents per quart.....$82.18

Leaving a clear gain of $69.02 for our young gardener.

No expense of picking fruit, of small baskets to hold them if sent to a distance, or commission on sales, need be given for so small a plot. If the size be increased so these are needed, then we may calculate to pay at the rate of a cent and a half each for baskets, and about two cents per quart for picking.

It is possible to bring up the yield much higher than is given above, but this is more practicable on a small bed than in a large one. Profits cannot increase in proportion to the increase of land cultivated; since one alone cannot give the same close attention and care, more help being necessary for the larger plot. At all events, when a girl finds herself with little to do, and has a desire to increase her pocket-money and sense of independence, here is an avenue, and a pleasant one, to a field of labor certain of bringing remuneration.