ino HATCH EXPERIMENT STATIOX. [Jan. 



CtdtKfid J/e/hods. 



The department has constantly experimented with methods 

 of eultivation ; and, since this worli has covered many years 

 and a diversity of soils, some general remarks on the man- 

 agement of strawberry plantations may appear to be in place. 

 AVhile the cultural methods of growing the strawberry vary 

 widely, and each system has its special devotees, nearly all 

 methods have merits and demerits worth considering. 



Shall the strawberry })lant ])e allowed to fruit one or two 

 years? Nearly all the best growers now practise the former 

 method. B}^ this quick rotation fungous and insect pests 

 are avoided to a greater extent, and the fruit is generally 

 considered enough better to warrant the extra labor and 

 expense. 



Shall the plants be set in the early spring, or in autumn? 

 Generally speaking, our experience has shown that spring 

 setting is best, as the root system gets a better chance to 

 develop, and the crown to store u\) nutriment for fruit bear- 

 ing tlie following year. However, in special cases good 

 results arc obtained by selecting vigorous plants in Jul}^ and 

 August, setting in beds close together, and allowing no run- 

 ners to form. 



There are four general systems, modified more or less to 

 suit special conditions ; these are connnonly practised with 

 spring setting : the hill system, hedge-row system, narrow 

 matted row and wide matted row S3^stems. 



The hill system is more generally advocated by amateur 

 than commercial growers. Tlie plants should be set out 

 about two and on(^-half by two feet, and no runners allowed 

 to form. Ever}'thing that will aid the crown to increase in 

 size and strength should be provided. Tlie larger and more 

 vigorous the crowns, the greater the results ; the strength of 

 the plants goes to building up a fruit-iiroducing organism 

 alone. Another great advantage is the exposure to air and 

 sunlight on all sides, and the conse(|ueiit production of bet- 

 ter-colored, better-flavored and firmer friut, worthy of a 

 fancy price. 



Tlie hed(je-row system is a nioditication of the hill system 



