114 State Horticultural Society. 



largest yield per acre of the best quality of fruit possible, which can be 

 marketed to best advantage, always our objective point, the proper culti- 

 vation, care and attention of strawberry growing will always be rewarded 

 by pleasure and profit. 



STRAWBERRY GROWING. 



(J. E. Thompson, Windsor, Mo.) 



Soil — The strawberry is a voracious feeder. Perhaps it has as great 

 a capacity for taking nourishment out of the soil as any other plant of 

 modern production. It also at the same time will perhaps give as great 

 returns, both as a table luxury and as a money producer, as any other plant 

 of modern production. It also, I would state by way of digression, 

 brings quickest returns to its owner of any other plant of modern 

 production. 



Nature of Soil — It will succeed on a great variety of soils. Have 

 seen them do equally as well on sandy, on deep black loam, on light clay, 

 and black gumbo. In each case, however, the beds must be of necessity 

 well drained, as the strawberry will succumb very promptly when water 

 stands upon it. 



Fertilisation — Fertility is a great factor in producing the strawberry. 

 I would suggest that the planter begin preparation at least one year before 

 be expects to plant. The best fertilizer I know of is well rotted barn 

 yard manure. This may be supplied in generous quantity ; in fact, should 

 be put on as thick as can be successfully and thoroughly plowed under, 

 when same should be mixed well with the soil with disc and smcothing 

 harrows. As stated above, this should be done the season before time 

 allotted for the setting of the plants. 



Location — In selecting a site for a strawberry bed the main points to 

 Consider are, first, drainage ; second, protection from frost. 



Drainage — A strawberry bed to succeed should be as level as will 

 allow prompt moving of the water after heavy rain fall, but at the same 

 time should not be steep enough to permit the washing of the soil away 

 from the roots of the plant or the destruction of the fruit. 



Protection from Frost — The ideal site for a strawberry bed is the 

 highest point convenient, and same may be under young fruit trees the 

 first few years of their lives. A point to be avoided is low lands, as the 

 strawberry bloom is very easily destroyed by frosts in the months of April 

 and May. 



