CHAPTER XXVII. 

 CULTURE OF STRAWBERRIES. 



XE of the most fascinating as well as remuner- 

 ative occupations one can possibly engage in 

 on our richly drained soils of the Everglades 

 is the culture of strawberries. Here they can 

 be grown with great ease at such a time of 

 the year that they will enter the markets with- 

 out a single competitor in the fresh fruit line. 

 When one stops to think how many millions 

 of mouths are fed in the United States and that we have here in 

 the South a monopoly of this fruit offered us at a time of the 

 year when absolutely no other kinds of fresh fruits are to be had, 

 the prospect is indeed attractive. There is no doubt but what 

 the great bulk of this luscious fruit can be marketed throughout 

 the North and at very remunerative prices. At present the supply 

 has fallen far short of the demand. It seems that of all fruits 

 grown the strawberry is most universally in demand. 



If the market at any time becomes glutted, a drop of a few 

 cents per quart in the price will put the fruit in the hands of 

 thousands who could not afford to invest at the former high price. 

 In selecting a piece of land for strawberries, extra care should 

 be taken. It should not only be well drained but of such a nature 

 as to dry out readily after a heavy rain. It should be extra well 

 enriched* in advance of planting, for after the plants are set out 

 there is danger of burning them by heavy side dressings of com- 

 mercial fertilizer. 



As to varieties, most any of the popular kinds from the North 

 do well here, the Brandywine being one of the best. The Old 

 Lady Thompson was in great favor, but has been superseded of 

 late years by the best of the new introductions. 



* See last part of Chapter VI. 



I O2 



