STRAWBERRIES FOR HOME USE. 103 



and Gandy are excellent late varieties, with Lester Lovett con- 

 tending for first place, but has not been tested here long enough 

 to warrant crediting it with this position. The old Crescent 

 and Bederwood will stand more grief than any of the newer 

 varieties and still produce berries. 



Many people seem puzzled over the time of planting, being 

 undecided between Pall and Spring. It is possible to plant 

 berries any time when the ground is not frozen, but far best 

 results in Nebraska are obtained by planting as early in the 

 spring as it is possible to work the ground. Then be sure you 

 have plants of last year's growth as you can never tell by the 

 appearance of plants or trees what they will bear. 



Your only safe way to buy is from a nursery that has a repu- 

 tation at stake, and one that is a permanent fixture. Never buy 

 from traveling salesmen unless they represent nurseries that 

 you know are "gilt edge." Buying nursery stock is "buying a 

 pig in a poke, " and unless you have the reputation of a good 

 nursery back of your purchase you may expect a blooded 

 Poland China and get a worthless scrub. 



Plant your berries in rows four feet apart and fourteen inches 

 to two feet apart in the row. Use a string or wire to make 

 your rows perfectly straight and you will not be sorry when 

 you get ready to cultivate. Be sure your soil is in good condi- 

 tion, and plant deep, so that the crowns will be even with the 

 surface of the ground. In regard to making the soil firm about 

 the roots, do not be afraid of getting it packed too hard, pro- 

 viding you stir the surface immediately after planting. Never 

 scatter your plants along the row, but have them in a bucket 

 with two or three inches of water, and transfer from the 

 water immediately to the ground. Begin cultivation at once. 

 If you have a two horse cultivator with small shovels you can 

 cultivate all the surface except a strip three or four inches wide 

 in the row. It requires but little work with the hoe to clean 

 this out. 



Cultivation should be frequnt. once every week or ten days, 

 and you will be surprised at the way they will set plants. By 

 August first you can have a matted row and then you can cut 

 off surplus runners after that. 



