112 Strawberry-Growing 



Only strawy manure should be used; a heavy coat of 

 fine manure upon the plants might smother them. Work 

 the fine part of the manure around the plants and between 

 the rows and use the strawy portion, or corn stalks, directly 

 over the plants. 



Straw. 



Straw is used for a mulch more than any other material. 

 Wheat straw is preferable to oat or barley straw, as it 

 usually is threshed cleaner, is freer from weed seeds and 

 does not pack down so tightly. Rye straw is least valu- 

 able ; it is too long and there is likely to be considerable 

 difiiculty from re-seeding. Buckwheat straw is excellent. 

 All kinds of straw contain cheat, wild barley and other 

 seeds, which become serious weeds in the strawberry field. 

 Moreover, the scattering kernels of grain in the chaff 

 and screenings are likely to grow and cause trouble in 

 the spring. Shake out the straw before using it, or fork it 

 over a coarse screen to sift out the seeds. Some growers 

 prefer old straw for this reason, especially if it has been 

 tramped over by stock and made finer. Two to eight 

 tons an acre are used, according to the locality. Under 

 average conditions in the North two acres of wheat will 

 supply straw for one acre of strawberries. 



Com fodder. 



Corn stalks make an excellent mulch in Minnesota. 

 One bundle is laid on each side of the row and a third 

 on top of the row. In regions that have a more moderate 

 winter, corn stalks are likely to smother the plants unless 

 they are cut or shredded. Shredded corn fodder is a 

 good mulch, but expensive. It is free from weeds, ex- 

 cept of morning glory. It is commonly estimated that 



