626 EEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



The Strawberry (Fragaria). 



There are three priDcipal points of strawberry culture at the South 

 for the Northern markets, Norfolk, Charleston, and Thomasville, Ga., 

 but many are also grown scatteringly in Florida, the first few arriv- 

 ing from there bringing sometimes as high as $5 iier quart in New 

 York. 



Some of the most popular varieties at the North are not suitable as 

 market sorts at the South, not being adapted to the climate ; but besides 

 its adaptability to the South, a variety should be productive, be of fair 

 size and appearance, and, particularly, be suflticientlyfirm to endure the 

 delay and rough handling of transportation without iujury, so that it 

 may arrive in market in good condition. 



The old Wilson's Albany or Wilson, and the Neunan or Charleston 

 are the most reliable and extensively grown. 



During mild seasons, with long intervals between frosts, fruit may 

 mature at any time during the winter at the South in the open ground. 

 I have had a fair yield for a few days at Christmas. 



Tlie first shipments may be expected from Florida about February 1, 

 from Charleston late in IVIarch, bringing from 75 cents to $1, but the 

 price soon drops as the quantity increases to from 30 cents to 50 cents 

 per quart and lower still. The first from North Carolina bring about 

 the same price as the Charleston berries. The immense quantities from 

 Norfolk, commencing about May 10, bring the price down to 35 cents 

 and 25 cents, and frequently still lower. 



The best market for strawberries is New York. Fancy prices are not 

 often paid in Baltimore. While in the cooler and better adapted cli- 

 mate of the North crops as high as 11,000 to 14,000 quarts have been 

 creditably reported, it is doubtful whether, under the most, favorable 

 conditions of a moist loamy soil, careful iireparation, proper cultivation, 

 &c., more than 0,000 quarts could be produced at the South. Three 

 thousand quarts may be considered a good yield in a fair season. 



Moisture being indispensable to successful strawberry culture a soil 

 should be selected most capable of supplying that requirement, and in- 

 deed a deep, rich loam, made friable with an abundance of decaying 

 vegetable matter is best adapted to this crop. A great drawback to 

 strawberry growing at the South is summer killing of the plants, and 

 this is most likely in a lighter, hotter soil. If stable manure is to be 

 used it should be well rotted. This plant will not stand as heavy man- 

 uring as at the North without going to vine at the expense of fruit, and 

 30 loads per acre will answer on good soil. Good land having yielded 

 a crop of cabbages, well manured, would require no better preparation 

 than a crop of pea- vines sown May 1, plowed under August 1, and 

 planted in strawberries September 1. 



The land having been deeply plowed in narrow lands 30 to 40 feet, 

 the best method of planting strawberries on a large scale is in single 

 rows 2^ to 3 feet apart, the plants to stand 18 inches in the rows. This 

 will admit of the use of a cultivator between the lines. Many farmer^ 

 neglect their strawberry plants after the first crop, and liave to renew 

 the planting every season. In working the crop after the strawberries 

 have been gathered such plants as have taken root in the lines may be 

 left, but all others should be removed. The better plan is only to keep 

 the old plants to bear the second crop. 



The plants should be put out as early as possible, if a large produc- 

 tion is to be expected. Sex^tember is the safest month, although, if the 



