That afternoon armed with cord, stakes, a tape, and the plan of the bed, Myron started to mark it off for the plants.  After tacking his plan up on the fence post he began the measuring.  The piece of ground was 5-3/4 feet wide by 6 feet long.  Beginning at one edge of the garden he measured in six inches along the width.  The same thing was done from the opposite edge.  Stakes were driven in at these two points and a cord stretched between.  The same thing was done from the other two ends.  So Myron had two cords extending down the length of his garden each six inches from the edge of the patch.  These cords are lettered A A and D D in his plan.  B B is 15 inches from A A; C C is 15 inches from D D.

The next thing was to get the position of each plant in the bed.  This is the way it was done:  beginning with A A, measure from the upper stake nine inches down the line and place a small stake.  This is the place to set the first plant.  From this, measure and place stakes at one-foot distances.  There will be five plants down the line.  Down B B, measure fifteen inches and place a stake.  This gives the position for the first plant, then, as before, place stakes at one-foot intervals.  C C is marked off similar to A A; and D D to B B. In all Myron then had places for twenty plants.

As the work was finished Myron looked up to see Jack’s face peeping over the fence.  “How do you like my strawberry bed?”

“It’s all right,” Jack replied, “especially the strawberry plants.  They look very promising.”

“Quit your fooling, and come in and see this bed face to.”

As Jack went over the fence he stopped to look at the plan.  “I say, Myron, this shows a plan’s of some use to a man.  What do you mean by succession crops?”

“That stands for the sort of seed you keep sowing at intervals and so getting several crops a season.  I shall put in radish and lettuce.  I am to supply our own table all summer.  Father is not going to sow either of these.  He is depending on me.”

The trip to Longmeadow Farm for strawberry plants was one of pleasure
and profit to Myron.  The boys used to say that while old Mr. Mills had a
crust inches deep, underneath this he was as fine as the strawberries he
raised.  I. Constructing a wall to form an embankment. 
    II.  Cleaning the grounds and making a lawn. 
    III.  Planting of trees. 
    IV.  Preparation and planting of the flower garden. 
    V. Cleaning and mending the road.

“Strawberry plants are worth,” said the old gentleman, “about two cents apiece.  I will give you your plants if you will do two things.  First, during this season, you are to pinch all the blossoms as they appear, off the plants.  Secondly, I wish to experiment with a new variety of berry to see if it is good for this locality.  I wish you to take five of these plants and try the experiment with me.  Do you agree?”

“Certainly.  But can’t I leave just one blossom on each plant to see what the fruit is like?” And also leave one entire row blossoming as it will?”