FERTILIZING STRAWBERRIES 



Watering at the time of planting as a rule is not advisable 

 and should be avoided unless the season is extremely dry and 

 the soil so thoroughly drained of water that there is danger 

 of the plants dying. In some cases, however, it is necessary 

 to use water in setting out the plants and in this case no bad 

 effect need be experienced therefrom if the necessary precau- 

 tions are observed. Care should be taken to cover the wet 

 portions of the ground with a little dry soil in order to prevent 

 too rapid evaporation or any tendency the soil may have to 

 bake or form a little clod around the roots of the plant. 

 From this treatment the plants are more likely to take a 

 vigorous start and no bad after effect need be experienced if 

 the idea of the dust mulch is carried out. 



SOIL MANAGEMENT AFTER PLANTING 



Cultivation the First Summer. Frequent and shallow 

 cultivation from the time the plants are set is one of the 

 secrets of successful berry growing.. The wise grower does 

 not wait for the weeds to sprout and the land to become 

 infested before starting the cultivators. Anticipating the 

 growth of weeds, he cultivates all the more. A good rule 

 to follow is to cultivate often enough to keep a continuous 

 dust mulch on the surface of the soil to conserve the moisture 

 by preventing rapid evaporation. On ordinary soils and dur- 

 ing average seasons, once each week or ten days will be found 

 sufficient. During a drought period it will often be found 

 necessary to stir the soil two or three times a week. Cultivate 

 as close to the plants as possible without danger of injury to 



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