312 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



new one. This is certainly true with the old beds that have been allowed 

 to become foul with weeds, diseases and insects. The beds that are re- 

 newed every year do not often become seriously infested with pests as 

 do the beds that are left several years. 



If it is considered advisable to renew the old bed, the followinji 

 method has been found to be siitisfactory. After the fruit has been 

 picked, mow off the toj»s of the plants and loosen the mulch so that 

 it will dry out well. When all is thoroughly dried so as to burn rapidly 

 and the wind is in a favorable direction, start a small fire at the wind- 

 ward side and allow it to burn as quickly as possible; as slow burning 

 may injure llie crowns of the plants. This will burn all of the old 

 foliage and mulching and will destroy the source of many insect and 

 fungous troubles. 



After the burning has been completed, the rows should be narrowed 

 to about the width of one ])lant by plowing away from them on both 

 sides. Then the rows should be gone over with a hoe and all the old 

 plants and weeds hoed out and the ridges left by plowing should be 

 worked down and the soil brought back to the rows. If the weather is 

 dry, this work should be done immediately so as to keep the plants from 

 drying out. With proper burning over and the other work done quickly 

 afterward, the bed will not be injured in the least. Cultivate frequently 

 to keep down weeds and prevent the soil from baking. It is rarely profit- 

 able to retain a bed after more than its second bearing season. 



CONTROLLIXG INSECTS AND DISEASES. 



Before setting out the young plants look them over carefully and re- 

 move any discolored or diseased leaves. Examine the roots for root 

 lice, if any are found or are suspected, dip the roots in strong tobacco- 

 water. 



After the growth starts, spray with Bordeaux* and a poisonf to pre- 

 vent the leaf spot and to destroy the leaf-roller insect that may be 

 present. 



For fruiting plantations, spray with Bordeaux before blossoming and 

 repeat ten days to two weeks later. After fruiting if the bed is to be 

 fruited again, mow and burn over quickly (as on a day when there is a 

 wind, to avoid burning the croAvns of the plants). If leaf rollers have 

 been present, spray with poison after the growth has started again but 

 before the leaves curl. 



For strawberry root lice, see ^lichigan Bulletin No. 244 page 88. 



White grubs often cause serious trouble in strawberry beds. After 

 they get in the soil, nothing can be done to destroy them except digging 

 them out by hand which is not practical. Since sod ground and manure 

 piles are favorable breeding places it would not be advisable to plant 

 strawberries on sod ground and manure ])roduced before the first of 

 August or left uncovered until then should not be used. Late fall plow 

 ing will greiitly reduce the number of grubs in a soil already infested. 



It is difficult to recommend varieties of strawberries as they are very 



♦Bordeaux mixture, 4 pounds of copper sulphate, 5 pounds of stone lime and 50 gallons of. water. 

 tWith i pound of Paris Green or 2 pounds of arsenate of lead. 



