PLANTING STRAWBERRIES 421 



one foot between the plants ; the range is from eight to eighteen inches 

 in the practice of different growers, and determined, of course, largely 

 by the habit of the variety. A vine like the Sharpless, with a spreading 

 growth and long fruit stem needs, perhaps, sixteen inches which some 

 growers give it, while the smaller, more compact, Longworth Prolific, 

 may do well with half that distance. 



Planting Strawberries. Strawberry plants are set out either in 

 spring or fall, or at any time in the winter when the ground is warm 

 or in good condition. Fall planting usually gives a fuller spring crop 

 though planting as late as February has brought two crops the follow- 

 ing spring and summer, and planting in April has secured fruit the 

 same year, but it is better to prevent it and induce more growth. Spring 

 planting is in April and May. In the drier parts of the State, early fall 

 or winter planting is more essential than elsewhere. If the ground is 

 dry, water should always be used in planting. This may be given by 

 thorough irrigation of the ground before planting, or a little water may 

 be used in setting each plant. At planting it is usually best to remove 

 all leaves from the plant, shorten the roots to three inches or less, and 

 be sure the plants do not dry while planting progresses. As with han- 

 dling rooted grape-vines, it is advisable to carry around the plants in a 

 vessel which has water in it. If the plants have been received by mail 

 they are invigorated by soaking in water a few hours before planting. 



In setting the plants, scoop out a little excavation with the hand or 

 a trowel, spread the roots well, cover with fine soil, being sure that the 

 crown of the plant shall not be below the surface when the soil is leveled. 

 Too many strawberry plants are buried, not planted. Some plant very 

 rapidly by using a dibble to make a hole, into which the roots are 

 dropped and soil pressed around them by using the dibble alongside; 

 others set the plants on the side of the furrow, trusting to the next fur- 

 row to complete the covering. Nearly all ways succeed if the plant is 

 not set too deeply and the ground is moist at planting and not allowed 

 to dry out afterwards providing good, strong plants are used. In 

 buying plants it is often poor economy to buy the cheapest. 



Staminate and Pistillate. In associating varieties be sure the 

 pistillate varieties are not set by themselves. Some sorts have perfect 

 flowers and are self-fertilizing; others have only the pistillate element 

 in the bloom and must have the staminate adjacent in another variety. 

 Several varieties largely grown in California have perfect flowers, 

 though some pistillate sorts have been locally approved. This matter 

 should be looked into before planting a variety. Pistillate varieties 

 should have staminate kinds in every fourth row. 



Care of the Strawberry Plantation. Herein lies the secret of suc- 

 cess with the strawberry : Neglect has led to disappointment and con- 

 demnation of the strawberry, where intelligent care would have ren- 

 dered it a constant delight. The cheap elements of proper care may 

 be thus enumerated : 



Retention of moisture very near the surface by careful, shallow 

 cultivation or by mulching, persistent destruction of weeds, and com- 

 pensation for summer evaporation by frequent irrigation. The plants 



