STRAWBERRIES. 425 



STRAWBERRIES. THE PROPAGATING BEDS. 



CHARLES F. GARDXEK, OSAGE, IOWA. 



We often read that such a variety of strawberry has run out, mean 

 in^ that it has become worthless. Where this is the case, it is be. 

 cause the plain rules, known to every true horticulturist, with re- 

 re^ard to the nature, the habits and cultivation of the plant have 

 been violated. The facts are that with proper mauag-ement no va- 

 riety will run out or deteriorate in value, no matter how longculti. 

 vated, but will g-row better. Wilson's Albany or the Crescent, for 

 example, where they have been handled right are today just as good 

 or better than thej' were years ago when first introduced. 



Growing plants for setting fruit beds is a peculiar and distinct 

 department of horticultural science. The object is not to grow fruit 

 but strong, vigorous, healthy plants to be used in setting fruit beds. 

 In growing strawberries there are two distinct departments; in one 

 you grow plants only, in the other j-ou grow fruit only. 



The size of the propagating beds depends on the number of plants 

 you wish to grow. The rows are four feet apart and the plants three 

 feet in the row. Take pains to get good, strong plants that are true 

 to name to start with, if 3'ou have to pay a big price for them. The 

 first year cut off all blossoms as fast as they appear and give the 

 highest cultivation possible, as is usually recommended for straw. 

 berries. 



The second year in the spring take up what plants you want for 

 setting a new fruit bed but dig everything clean as j'ou go, thus 

 leaving a portion of the propagating bed undisturbed. Take some 

 of the very best plants you can find and set out to extend your pro- 

 pagating bed. When fruit stems appear cut them all off as before, 

 except on that part of the propagating bed left undisturbed, here 

 leave two blos.'^oms on each plant that will bear inspection. By this 

 I mean that when the flowers are opened the stamens and pistils of 

 perfect flowering kinds are carefully examined and all plants not 

 showing proper development are hoed up and thrown away. In 

 pistillate varieties choose those plants whose flowers are destitute 

 of stamens and destroy the rest. 



When the berries are ripe on the plants that have passed inspec- 

 tion give them another careful examination to determine which 

 plants show the greatest number of points of excellence in the fruit, 

 as to color, shape and, in fact, an ideal berry of that special variety. 

 Mark those plants that are the nearest to perfection and dig up all 

 the rest. 



This course of treatment continued from year to year will produce 

 plants of the highest degree of fruiting power, and is the method 

 employed by those fruit growers who meet with the highest and 

 continued success. 



