BULLETIN 210J [MARCH, 1913 



Ontario Department of Agriculture 



. FRUIT BRANCH 



Strawberry Culture 



F. M. Clement 



The object of this bulletin is not to attempt any technical description of the 

 strawberry from a botanical point of view, or discuss methods of improvement or 

 selection, but to sum up in a simple, practical manner the methods of culture as 

 practised by the most successful growers in the Province. The writer has had 

 the opportunity of not only gromng strawberries commercially and observing the 

 methods practised on the nearby farms, but has visited the sections of the Pro- 

 vince that have, an established reputation and observed the methods practised there. 



The strawberry, unlike our tree fruits, is not limited to any narrow range 

 of territory, but is found both growing wild and in the gardens in the coldest and 

 warmes't parts of the Province. The comparative ease with which the plant is 

 cultivated, and the high quality of the fruit, both for canning and dessert, make 

 it a general favorite No kitchen garden is complete without its few rows. It is 

 the first fruit to ripen in the spring, and just at a time when fresh fruit is most 

 relished. The season opens about the middle of June, with the earliest varieties 

 and continues from four to six weeks, depending on the weather, and especially 

 the rainfall. But while it is grown everywhere for home use, it is the commercial 

 side that we are lat present most interested in, because the methods in vogue in the 

 commercial plantings can readily be copied into the gardens. On the other hand, 

 the commercial plantation is no place for the fads of some small gardeners. In 

 some few sections of the Province a number of growers have given intensive cultiva- 

 tion their careful attention, and years of successful experience have put them in 

 the foremost rank as specialists in their line. It is to these men that we must 

 look for the newest ideas, and it is to them that the writer extends his sincerest 

 thanks for the valuable assistance given him at different times. Also in some few 

 instances the writer has copied paragraphs from other bulletins, because his own 

 experience and observation's did not cover the point in question, but in every case 

 credit has been given to the author. 



Location and Soil. — Almost any location on the farm will do for straw- 

 l)erries, provided the soil is suitable. A warm southern slope is, however, to be 

 preferred for early fruit, if it is sufficiently protected (perhaps I should say 

 exposed) to be free from eiarly spring frosts or frosts during the blossoming season. 

 The blossoming season is, liowever, to some extent at least, under the control of 

 the grower, as it may be delayed for a few days or a week by not removing the 

 winter mulch from the rows until growth has started, or until the plants begin to 

 suffer from the cover. A warm southern slope is on the other hand not conducive 

 to the greatest quantity because of the \\'arm winds and drying sun during the 



