26 Strawberry-Growing 



If less than 500 plants are ordered, they may come by 

 parcel post; if more, by express. Strawberry plants 

 weigh twenty-five to thirty pounds a thousand, packed. 

 Freight should be used only when the distance is short, 

 and during cool weather. An advantage of express is 

 that the packages are carried in open cars, whereas mail 

 is carried in air-tight pouches. 



To ascertain how many plants are required for an acre, 

 multiply the number of feet between plants in the row 

 by the number of feet between rows ; this gives the num- 

 ber of square feet occupied by one plant. Then divide 

 the number of square feet in an acre, which is 43,560, by 

 this sum. Some growers order one-tenth more plants 

 than are needed to set the field ; the remainder are heeled 

 in so that the plants do not touch. Three weeks later all 

 plants in the field that have not made a good start are 

 pulled up and new plants set. 



Preparing plants for setting. 



Plants from a nursery should be unpacked imme- 

 diately in a cool place. After dipping the roots in water 

 place the moss in which they are packed upon the floor 

 and set the bunches on it, close together. If the plants 

 are needed for setting within four or five days, bank the 

 moss tightly around the sides and keep them watered. 

 If not, break open the bunches and heel in the plants. 

 Good plants have fresh green leaves and yellow or orange- 

 colored roots; plants with black or dark brown roots 

 should not be used. Plants packed in wet sphagnum 

 should carry a week or more. Plants that have been 

 packed for some time and have become warm may be 

 bleached. They should be heeled in, partially shaded, 

 and watered until they have assumed a healthy color. 



