232 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



CAREFUL PREPARATION OF THE SOIL REQUIRED. 



But it must not be inferred from what I have just said that I do not 

 beh'evc in a careful preparation of the soil. On the contrary, I claim 

 that success depends, in a great measure, upon having this well and 

 thotoughly done. With my soil, a clay loam, I consider it desireable to 

 plow the land twice; say late in the fall, and again in the s^Dring; or very 

 early in the spring, and again when ready to set. If plowed in the fall 

 it should not be harrowed, but should be left rough so as to be exposed 

 to the action of the elements as much as possible. In the spring the 

 ground should be plowed and harrowed, the oftencr the better, until the 

 top soil is thoroughly pulverized, thus securing that fine, moist and at 

 the same time compact, condition so much appreciated by the strawberry 

 and secured by oft repeated work only. 



Before beginning to set I like to 



HAVE THE PLANTS ALL READY. 



They are prepared by removing all old runners, and leaves, and if 

 late in the spring all fruit stems, and by straightening out the roots and 

 tying in bunches. After this is done the roots are wet, a little dirt is 

 sprinkled on them and they are packed away in a cool shady place, so 

 that the roots can not become dry, but with the leaves exposed to the 

 light. In this condition they will throw out large numbers of little white 

 rootlets along the main roots in two or three days. Now they are ready 

 to set, and if this is well done in soil prepared as directed above they 

 will every one live, no matter how dry the weather or how long contin- 

 ued the drouth. 



MY MODE OF SETTING 

 I 

 I 



is, after everything is in readiness, to run a furrow where the row is 

 wanted with a single shovel plow, and before the fresh-turned moist 

 earth can dry the plants are dropped and covered. They are carried in 

 a bucket of water and dropped where wanted by one person, while 

 another follows and covers with a hoe, pressing the soil down firmly 

 about the roots with his feet. In this way there is no chance for the 

 roots to become dry, which would be a great damage, if not entirely fatal 

 to them. This is the best method I have tried when setting largely. 

 It is quite rapid and the plants are sure to live. But there may be better 

 or more rapid ways of setting than this that will give equally as good 

 results. If there is I shall be glad to hear of them. 



