Strawberry Culture 15 



manure. In such cases any good, complete fertilizer will an- 

 swer. One made from potatoes is about right: I usually scatter 

 it along the row between the plants not on them within a few 

 weeks after they are planted. The amount to use must be de- 

 termined by the grower. A ton to the acre will do no harm, 

 but I would not use so much at one time. If the ground is 

 known to be very poor, half a ton to the acre might be applied, 

 and the same amount in September. Half this amount is usually 

 ample, but it is best to use enough, for the cost of the fertilizer 

 is but a small part of the total expense, and it may double the 

 crop. If -one has any doubt about the fertility of the land, in 

 the spring just before the plants come into bloom, a few hun- 

 dred pounds of a good fertilizer applied to an acre will help 

 wonderfully. If the intention is to plow up the bed after bear- 

 ing, 200 pounds of nitrate of soda to the acre when about half 

 the fruit has set will add to the crop and to the luxuriance of 

 the plants. It is a great stimulant, and may cause the plants to 

 be more subject to fungous diseases. I am satisfied, from -long 

 experience, that a good coat of manure applied in the winter is 

 one of the best methods to get a good crop of strawberries. 

 Lime should never be used on land for strawberries, nor a very 

 great amount of unleached wood ashes. Forty bushels to the 

 acre is ample, on sandy soil, and clayey land needs still less. 



Time to Plant 



While the strawberry may be set ' 'any day in the year ex- 

 cept Sunday," all seasons are not alike favorable. Here in the 

 north, perhaps ninety-five per cent, are planted in the spring. 

 Whatever advantage there may be in delaying this work until 

 later in the season, so as to save a certain amount of cultivating 



