STRAWBERRY 



1911 



Nick Ohmer. 



Copyriglit, 1910, hy Colville 



ably grown for home use. They have 

 been found growing wild in Europe, 

 Asia, and America, under all conditions 

 of climate and soil favorable for other 

 forms of plant life. 



The origin of the strawberry cannot 

 be traced, but like many other valuable 

 plants and fruits, was found growing 

 wild In the countries where it has been 

 domesticated. It attracted attention in 

 Europe about 1712; but has not been in 

 general cultivation more than about 50 

 years. 



STRAWBERRY CULTURE 

 C. C. Vincent 



The strawberrj- industry in the North- 

 west compares favorably with the apple 

 industry in the adaptability of the plants 

 to soil and climate and in the universal- 

 ity of demand. With a constantly in- 

 creasing demand, and no apparent pros- 

 pect of our markets being fully supplied, 

 it is not surprising that many are turn- 

 ing their attention to the development 

 of the strawberry. 



The cause of such rapid advancement 

 has not been due alone to the dissem- 

 ination of information through our agri- 

 cultural press, but to the increase of rail- 

 road facilities, the development of the 

 refrigerator car and other means of trans- 

 portation, which gives the strawberry a 

 wide marketing range. A strawberry 

 plantation will come into profitable bear- 



ing in about two years, while an apple 

 orchard will require eight years. 



Districts Defined 



[For Puget Sound District, see article 

 following this. — Ed.] 



Conditions throughout the Northwest 

 vary so greatly with the different local- 

 ities in soil, humidity, elevation, etc., 

 that a brief description of the principal 

 districts where strawberries may be 

 grown profitably is essential to begin 

 with. 



>'ortherii Idaho and Northeastern Wash- 

 ington 



This section comprises the northern 

 part of Idaho and Northeastern Wash- 

 ington westward from the summit of the 

 Bitter Root mountains to the Columbia 

 valley or the point where it makes its 

 westward turn. A portion of the south- 

 west corner of this section would not be 

 included. 



The elevation varies from 1,000 to 4,000 

 feet, and the rainfall from 20 to 30 inches. 

 The climate is rather mild in summer, 

 and not severe in winter. The soils are 

 of a glacial formation or lake-bed de- 

 posit, with some areas of volcanic origin 

 in the southwest portion, which vary in 

 color from a red to a dark brown loam. 

 These soils are capable of retaining an 

 ample supply of moisture, when intensive 

 cultivation is practiced, thus eliminating 



