31 8 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



immense fruit can be produced on loose, open soils by 

 free irrigation and the application of plenty of manure. 

 Yet the heavier soil, both I)ecause of its usually superior 

 fertility and retention of moisture, is preferred for the 

 strawberry. 



Plants for setting out are secured by taking off the 

 small growths rooted from runners. The strongest 

 plants are those nearest to the parent plant. They 

 may be set out either in the spring or fall, or at any 

 time when the ground is warm and in good condition. 

 At planting shorten the roots to three inches, and be 

 sure the plants do not become dry while the planting 

 proceeds. It is advisable to carry the plants in a 

 bucket that has water in it. If plants have been 

 received by mail or express, they are invigorated by 

 soaking in water a few hours before planting. 



Preparing the Soil. — The first essential for suc- 

 cess in strawberry growing is to plow or dig the soil at 

 least ten inches deep, and during the fall or early 

 winter months work in deeply as much composted cow 

 and hen manure as the soil will hold. Have the sur- 

 face thoroughly pulverized and graded in the spring 

 so that the water will flow slowly in the ditches. The 

 spring plowing should be shallow. There are various 

 ways of laying out strawberry plantations. Some give 

 flat cultivation and plant in single rows two and a half 

 or three feet apart. Others make low ridges two and 

 a half to three feet wide, while between the ridges is a 

 furrow for irrigation which also serves for a passage 

 when the beds are being weeded or the fruit gathered. 

 It is best to arrange these furrows so that the water 

 runs down one furrow and back in the next, the fall 



