Winter Meeting. I97 



will admit that orchards that have had the b»sst care are in much the 

 best condition. It has been demonstrated that thorough cultivation is 

 still the watchword for the orchardist. 



STRAWBERRY GROWING. 



(L.J. Hartman, St. Joseph, Mo.) 



Best Commercial Varieties to Plant. — August Luther is the best 

 early, followed by Aroma, Bubach, Brandywine, Haverland and Clyde. 



Strawberry land may be found all over the country, on the hill- 

 sides, on the mountains, and in the valleys. Although strawberries grow 

 on most every kind of soil, there are soils that are better suited to their 

 wants, and where they will reward the producer with better returns. 



When early berries are desired, select a southern slope, but if later 

 berries are wanted, a northern slope is preferable. If you have neither, 

 plant a patch somewhere about the farm where you can raise enough for 

 your family, some for the birds and for the honey bees. Really, the 

 best soil for berries is timber land, bordering on streams, or the slopes 

 near the foot of hills. Land where sweet potatoes, melon vines or cab- 

 bage grew the year previous is good soil for strawberries and all small 

 fruits. 



The strawberry patch may be of any size which will afford the great- 

 est convenience. It may contain from one to five or ten acres, or even 

 a few rods in the garden. When the patch contains acres, it should be 

 crossed by roads both ways, wide enough for wagons, for hauling manure 

 and straw for winter protection. 



Preparation of soil for Planting. — We do not approve of spring 

 plowing in Missouri, as we often have dry spring seasons. Hence, we 

 plow our ground in November or December, when the ground is not 

 frozen. Soil should not be harrowed until spring. A few days before 

 planting, and again just before beginning to plant, we run a smoothing 

 board or leveler over it. 



Planting the Strawberry Patch. — For horse culture plant in rows 

 three and a half to four feet apart, and in the rows plants may be set 

 from 12 to 15 inches apart. When plants are high in price the distance 

 between them may be lengthened to 18 or 20 inches. With good culti- 

 vation and a moderate season for plant growth the space will be filled 

 up, making it a well matted row of plants. Do not set plants on a dry, 

 windy day. For setting plants hardly any two men adopt the same 



