FERTILIZING STRAWBERRIES 



and bacterial action. The enrichment of strawberry land 

 with vegetable matter is therefore a very important factor 

 in preparation of the bed. For this purpose yard manure 

 should be used whenever obtainable. Ten to twenty tons 

 per acre should be applied, preferably in the fall of the year 

 previous to the setting out of the plants in the spring. The 

 manure should be well rotted, the idea being to destroy as 

 many weed seeds as possible. When manure cannot be had, 

 the soil should be supplied with humus through plowing 

 under a green manuring crop. For this purpose clover, cow 

 peas or soy beans will do well. 



In preparing the land in the spring, plow moderately 

 deep; if in clover sod, plow in the fall and turn to a good 

 depth. The land, after plowing and harrowing, should be 

 rolled or dragged to settle the soil as deep as it was plowed, 

 otherwise the capillary rise of water from the subsoil is 

 retarded and the young plants will wilt during dry weather. 

 It is essential to have the land in the best physical condition 

 possible before the plants are set. As early in the spring as 

 practicable, disk and harrow the land. The first operation 

 is performed with the idea of breaking up the crust, and the 

 second to secure a smooth, even, friable plant bed. 



The grower is now providing the best insurance possible 

 against drought. By turning under clover or legumes, he 

 has supplied the soil with a part of the nitrogen so essential 

 to the prolific production of strawberries. The nitrogen is 

 also in a relatively speaking, slowly available form, and hence 



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