6 The Bulletin. 



soil moisture in a dry time. As a rule, sandy loams will produce early 

 fruit, but the stiff er clay loams usually produce larger yields. There 

 is much advantage in having the land level, or nearly so, as cultivation 

 is more easily carried on and there is less loss of fertility through leach- 

 ing and surface washing during heavy rains. However, if the level 

 location is situated lower than the surrounding land, it is not advisable 

 to use it, because of the liability to damage from frosts resulting from 

 the settling of cold air from the higher* elevations. 



There is a difference of opinion as to whether newly cleared land or 

 soil that has had previous cultivation is most desirable for planting to 

 strawberries. Newly cleared land is easier to cultivate on account of 

 there being fewer weeds to contend with. Some growers are of the 

 opinion that this kind of soil will produce better fruit and larger yields 

 than land that has had previous cnltiivtion. In either case, whether 

 the land be new or old, an ample supply of moisture and a liberal 

 amount of readily available plant food must be present in order to pro- 

 mote the growth necessary to make the growing of strawberries profit- 

 able. Deep plowing, the presence of plenty of humus, either in the 

 form of stable manure, some soiling crop, or what may occur naturally, 

 and thorough tillage, will improve the physical condition and increase 

 the amount of fertility of almost all soils. This is particularly true of 

 clay and sandy land. Black, peaty bottom-land usually contains plenty 

 of vegetable matter. In addition to deep plowing and careful tillage, 

 soils of this character can best be improved by drainage and the appli- 

 cation of lime. As a rule, the more care and attention given the prepa- 

 ration of land the more readily can cultivation be carried on and the 

 more profitable will be the yields. 



FERTILIZERS. 



One of the most important points to be considered in the growing of 

 strawberries is that of fertilization. Yery often growers fail to grasp 

 the significance of this operation in the production of their crops. 

 Where strawberries are grown for home and near-by markets the chief 

 consideration is yield, size, and flavor of the berries. If the fruit is to 

 be sent to more distant markets, texture should be most carefully con- 

 sidered in addition to the other qualities, for berries that are not firm 

 will not stand long transportation. As a rule, an abundance of nitrogen 

 will produce heavy yields and large berries, but sufficient phosphoric 

 acid and potash, in available forms, are needed to develop the flavor, 

 ■color, and firmness of the fruit. Growers who contemplate sending 

 their berries any distance, even though they be under refrigeration, may 

 well consider the amount of phosphoric acid and potash they are sup- 

 plying to their plants, for no matter how large and beautiful the fruit 

 may be, unless it is of firm and solid texture, it will not carrv success- 

 fully. 



