Although several varieties were acceptable for freezing by 

 the taste panel, Earlidawn, Midway, Pocahontas and Surecrop were 



selected as being outstanding in the 3 qualities scored color, 



flavor and texture. The frozen fruit of these, vari eti es was char- 

 acterized as having firm texture, good flavor and attractive red 

 color 



*************** 



Effect of Winter Mulches on Strawberry Yields 



Investigations by 

 Fredericton, New 

 the Proceedings of 



snoweo tnat over 

 boughs and shavings 



W.D. Collins, Canada Department of Agriculture, 



Brunswick, Canada, and reported in Volume 89 of 



the American Society for Horticultural Science , 



a 5-year period mulches of oat straw, evergreen 



provided adequate winter protection for strawberries. Yields were 



less when the plants received no winter protection, were mulched 



before temperature at crown level fell to 20 F, or were mulched 



with sawdust or fall-seeded oats. Applications of extra nitrogen 



increased yields of the sawdust-mulched plots substantially during 



the final 2 years of the study, however. 



The amount of oat straw used (1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 tons/acre) had 

 no effect on yield in 3 of the 5 years. In the other 2 years, how- 

 ever, lower yields followed mulching with 4.5 tons of straw. These 

 results indicate that a thick mulch is not only unnecessary, but 

 also may reduce yield of strawberries. 



The number of times the temperature at crown level dropped to 

 between 32 F and 20 F, or the accumulated cold units expressed as 

 degree-days-bel ow-40 F, appeared to be useful indices for deter- 

 mining the time to mulch. Yield was almost invariably depressed 

 when less than 10 light frosts preceded the mulch application, and 

 15 to 20 frosts were optimal. Plants mulched at 50 to 80 degree- 

 'days-bel ow-40 F after October 1, produced good crops. 



*************** 



POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH 



Publication Available : Growers of strawberries should find of 

 value, Washington State University (Pullman, Washington) Extension 



