1914 



ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL IIORTICULTUUR 



tainous in places but is generally rolling 

 hills, high tablelands, and narrow val- 

 leys as a rule. The soils throughout this 

 region are of basaltic origin, while in 

 the valleys volcanic ash and silt arc 

 found; all are deep, rich, fertile, and last- 

 ing. The rainfall varies from 9 to 36 

 inches, so in places it is necessary to 

 irrigate to mature crops. Owing to the 

 abundance of sunshine, the strawberry 

 grows to perfection, so is one of the lead- 

 ing crops in many of the highly devel- 

 oped valleys. 



La Grande District 



In Northeastern Oreson is located the 

 La Grande district, which comprises the 

 counties of Baker, Grant, Umatilla, Union 

 and Wallowa. The soils of this terri- 

 tory are of volcanic origin and are rich, 

 deep, and productive. The elevation 

 ranges from 4.")0 to 3,000 feet. Irrigation 

 in many instances is depended upon to 

 mature the crops. The long growing 

 and early maturing season makes this 

 region admirably adapted to the pro- 

 duction of small fruits. The products are 

 of fine quality and meet with ready sale 

 upon the market. 



Tentral Oregon Region 



In this section the counties of Klam- 

 ath, Lake, Crook and Harney are found. 

 The great level plains and rolling up- 

 lands are characteristic of this region. 

 The soils are composed of disintegrated 

 lava, underlaid with porous lava and ba- 

 salt. The average annual rainfall for 

 Central Oregon is about 12 inches, and is 

 not suflicient to mature crops without 

 irrigation. While ideal conditions do not 

 exist in this region for growing straw- 

 berries commercially, by selecting the 

 hardier varieties enough can be grown to 

 supply home consumption. 



SOILS AM) rUEPAIJ.VTIOlV 

 Kind of Soil 

 The strawberry thrives on a wide 

 range of soils. This plant can adapt 

 itself to almost any type of soil found 

 in the Northwest. In fact a soil that will 

 produce good field crops is satisfactory 

 for growing the strawberry. It seems 

 to be the consensus of opinion among 



the growers throughout these different 

 regions that the light, warm, sandy moist 

 soils produce the best crops. "The soil 

 which seems the best adapted for grow- 

 ing strawberries is a sandy loam. Heav- 

 ier soils are good, but require more cul- 

 tivation, as they bake hard, especially 

 after rain or irrigation."* 



Preparation 



To meet witli the best success the 

 ground should be placed in excellent con- 

 dition before the plants are set. Deep 

 plowing is essential. The growers should 

 endeavor to put the surface of the soil In 

 a mellow conilition. To accomplish this 

 he will find the disc harrow and clod 

 masher serve a useful purpose. The 

 strawberry thrives best on a soil con- 

 taining large amounts of plant food, 

 hence if these elements are lacking they 

 should be added. Successful strawberry 

 growers give their land a good applica- 

 tion of stable manure in the fall and 

 plow early in the spring. 



LOCATION 



Site 



The proper selection of a site is one 

 of the important factors to be considered 

 in successful strawberry culture. Neg- 

 lect in this respect often results in fail- 

 ure. The following points are well worth 

 considering in making a selection. Low 

 lands, lower than the surrounding area, 

 should be avoided as the cold air seeks 

 these places making them more subject 

 to frost than those slightly elevated. Air 

 drainage is as important as soil drain- 

 age. When slightly elevated places are 

 selected good air drainage is insured. 



Slope 



Considerable importance should be 

 given to the matter of selecting a suit- 

 able slope for the berry plantation. A 

 southern aspect is preferred when early 

 berries are desired. An exposure to the 

 south insures a warm soil, thus maturing 

 and ripening berries in advance of any 

 other slope. However, discretion should 

 be used if there is danger of early spring 

 frosts or excessive heat. In either case 



• W. H. Garner, Preston, Idaho. 



