EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 309 



FOREWORD. 



Special Bulletin No. 59. 



This bulletin has been prepared to meet the demands for brief practi- 

 cal information on the culture of small fruits in Michigan. 



The author, Mr. Wilkin, has for several years been the Super- 

 intendent of the Sub-Experiment Station at South Haven, and he 

 writes from practical experience. 



H. J. EUSTACE, 



Horticulturist. 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURE. 



BY F. A. WILKIN. 



The profits from small fruits are fully equal to those from tree fruits 

 but as Avith all fruits, they range from almost nothing to as much 

 as $1,500 per acre in some cases. General care or culture is the most 

 important factor that determines the profits of all small fruits and 

 marketing is undoubtedly next in importance. 



The objection to small fruits is that they are very perishable and 

 have to be produced within a short shipping distance from good 

 markets. They are soft, (gooseberries and currants excepted) and must 

 have verv careful handling. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



The strawberry is the most important of the small fruits and by many 

 is considered to be the choicest of all the fruits. 



SOIL AND ITS PREPARATION. 



The best soil for strawberries is that which is cool and moist but 

 well drained and easily worked. Strawberries are shallow rooted plants 

 and do the best in soils in which the moisture and fertility are near the 

 surface. However, almost any soil that is suitable for corn or potatoes 

 may be used for strawberries, after the proper preparation. 



Thorough preparation of the ground for a strawberry bed is very 

 essential. If it is very weedy or in a heavy sod it is advisable to plow 

 it in the fall and work it thoroughly in spring or better still, plant it to 

 some hoed crop as corn or potatoes the year before setting. It is also 

 very necessary to have the soil thoroughly pulverized and the sod, if 

 any, thoroughly broken up. After the ground is well worked, it is ad- 

 visable to roll it, as this operation pulverizes it and leaves the surface 

 smooth for marking and planting. 



