-6- 



GRQYnNG STRAY/BERRIES ON A POULTRY FARM 



Although only l/40 of the farms in the United states are classed as 

 fruit farms, they produce 5/6 of our national fruit crop. This suggests 

 that fruit growing is a specialized business. Yet we find in the eastern 

 states an occasional poultryman, dairyman, or vegetable grower who is oper«- 

 ating a fruit enterprise as a sideline, with considerable success. The 

 chances of success with an apple orchard on such a farm are less favorable 

 than with a strawberry planting since the latter involves little if any 

 spraying or dusting. The possibilities of growing half an acre, more or 

 less, of strawberries on a poultry farm in Massachusetts are well worth con- 

 sidering. 



Strav/berries require considerable hand labor. No one should attempt 

 to grov; this fruit unless favorable soil and enough labor at the right time 

 are available. An inexperienced grower is likely to set strawberry plants 

 on poorly prepared soil and then ask what kind of fertilizer should be used, 

 instead of fitting the soil at least a year in advance. He may even attempt 

 to produce a crop of berries by heavy fertilization in the spring of the 

 bearing year. Such a practice cannot be too strongly condemned. 



How many strawberries may one expect from an acre? The average for 

 Massachusetts is less thEoi 3,000 quarts. One Massachusetts grower, however, 

 actually harvested 12,000 quarts from an acre. But he did it by taking a 

 year in advance to prepare the land. During that time he grew three cover 

 crops, each of which v;as fertilized and plowed under. The soil was well 

 supplied v/ith organic matter, an important factor in a strawberry planting. 

 A yield of from 5,000 to 8,000 quarts per acre is a reasonable goal. It 

 is better to aim for a heavy yield on half an acre than to spread one's 

 efforts over a larger area. The beginner should start in a small way and 

 plant no more than he is able to handle properly. 



The bulk of the strawberry harvest comes between June 10 and June 25/ 

 Ample help must be available during that period. Other busy seasons in a 

 strawberry planting are planting time, around the first of May, the season 

 for cultivating, v;eeding, and spacing of runners in summer and early fall, 

 and the mulching season around the first of November. 



And now for a few suggestions for those poult rymen interested in 

 making a start in the strawberry business. If the poultry enterprise is 

 to be curtailed somewhat, a bit of diversification along fruit lines may 

 take the form of a well planned strawberry planting. 



(1) Soil . The ideal soil is fertile, well drained, retentive of moisture, 

 and well supplied with organic matter. It is a vmste of time to set plants 

 on a poorly adapted soil. If the soil will grow a good crop of vegetables, 

 flowers, or weeds, it has possibilities for strawberries. 



(2) Source of plan ts. The best are none too good. Northern grovm plants 

 are preferred. Plarits should be set while the weather is still cool and the 

 soil well supplied with water. Care must be taken to prevent drying of roots. 

 Roots begin to grow before weather conditions are favorable for top growth. 



