112 State Horticultural Society. 



CULTIVATION AND CARE OF STRAWBERRIES. 



(By George T. Tlppln, Nichols, Mo.) 



Although our subject begins with the cuUivation of plants after 

 setting, we have presumed to say something on the preparation of the 

 soil before planting, as this part of the work lays the foundation for proper 

 cultivation. I think it is best to break the land in the fall. In the spring 

 harrow well and re-break deep, pulverize well, by harrowing and dragging 

 until what might be called a good seed bed is formed, then set your plants. 

 Starting in this way, the expense of cultivation is materially decreased. 



Cultivation should begin within a short time after planting, not longer 

 than a week at the outside, for best results, and should be cultivated every 

 week for at least ten weeks and as often thereafter as necessary to keep 

 down weeds and grass. I use fine tooth harrows or cultivators, as a rule, 

 sometimes using narrow shovels and plowing deep, in case the ground has 

 packed from excessive rains. When planted in rows only one way, the 

 soil between the plants in the row must be kept clean and loose by hoe- 

 ing so the new plants can take root easily. We find it less expensive in 

 cultivating when checked both ways, for by plowing or harrowing both 

 ways it lessens the hoeing very much. Clean culture is the watchword in 

 successful strawberry growing, and should be fully appreciated at the be- 

 ginning of the season and not forgotten at the end. In order to have 

 good fruit crop, we must have a good plant row, and this is the object 

 of the early and intense cultivation, in order to force the plants to make 

 runners and set new plants early. The old idea was to keep the runners 

 cut off until July, then let them run and set plants. I think this a serious 

 mistake, for the earlier you can get plants to set, the stronger plants you 

 have for fruiting the following season. During the hoeing of plants it 

 is well to place the runners in the direction and where you want the 

 plants to set. After the runners have set two or three plants, I think it is 

 best to cut the rest off. I believe the same rule applies in growing good 

 strong plants that does in selecting good seed corn. We never think of 

 planting the corn from the small end of the ear. From the same reason- 

 ing we conclude that the plants set late, and toward the latteral end of 

 the runner, will not make good plants either for fruiting or reproducing 

 plants. I believe I would be justified in making the statement that the 

 one most important thing in successful berry growing is forming a proper 

 matted row, or bed, which is always best done when most plant surface 

 is obtained. The observing grower has discovered that the good berries 



