-5- 



raaterial is available, includinf;; hay, straw, weeds, and even saw- 

 dust. Mounting piles of sawdust along many roadsides suggest a 

 new source of mulch material which should not he overlooked. 



Some Stray Thoughts Concerning Strawberries 



Again we come to the season of good intentions in the 

 matter of placing strawberry runners. Recent rains have stim.ulat- 

 ed a vigorous growth of new plants in many plantings v/hich should 

 receive attention very soon if the plants are to be properly spaced 

 for 1940. Dorsett, Fairfax and Catskill, along with other strong 

 feeders, are very much in need of good spacing if satisfactory 

 yields ar, to be obtained. The best system of spacing depends 

 partly on the spacing of mother plants. In the Falmouth section 

 the mother plants are set about lU inches apart and the spacing 

 is accomplished by allowing each of these plants to develop U 

 daughter plants, 2 in either direction at right angles to the row. 

 At the College we practice a wider spacing of the mother plants 

 with a subsequent development of 14 properly spaced daughter plants 

 from each mother plant. The main thing is to insure each new plant 

 an adequate volume of soil and thus prevent the extra plants from, 

 becoming "weeds" in the row. 



Another matter in connection v^^ith the strawberry busi- 

 ness which is worth considering is briefly this. Anyone interested 

 in harvesting a crop of strawberries in 1941 should "take time by 

 the forelock" and get the prospective plantation in the best possi- 

 ble condition for setting next spring. Subduing all vreeds, as for 

 exaraple, by growing a hoed crop, and incorporating plenty of miner- 

 al elements and of organic matter in the soil are some of the 

 things worthy of attention. If the area to be planted next spring 

 is in any sense of the vrord lacking in fertility or in organic 

 matter, there is no better time to remedy the situation than in 

 the yoar preceding setting the plants. Some of the best straw- 

 berry?- fields we have ever seen have had 2 or 3 cover crops plov/ed 

 under before setting the plants. Others have had a liberal ap- 

 plication of manure. Strav^^berry grov^rors are firmly convinced that 

 good yields depend primarily on good plant growth the first season. 

 If we get good plant grov/th and mulch the planting well in November 

 there is seldom need for additional stimulation in the spring of 

 the bearing year. 



Two Exaraples of Doubtful Diversification 



In recent weeks two orchards of several hundred trees 

 each on diversified farr.is have come to our attention. The first 

 one is located on a large dairy farm and has cost the ovraer more 

 than:i,2000. The trees are about 12 years of age and the soil and 

 site are above average. Tree vigor is reasonably good consider- 

 ing the fact that the orchard is little more than a hay field. 

 No spraying equipment is available on the farm.. One or two sprays 

 only arc applied during the season. Needless to say, this orchard 

 has returned practically nothing and v/ill continue to perforra in 

 that v/ay unless the owner becom.es sufficiently fruit minded to put 

 first things first and apply a thorough going spray program. Un- 



