Fertilizer for Strawberries 151 



to annual crops. The special requirements, as given by 

 Wheeler, are "moderately acid to very acid soils, and if 

 lime is used the application should be light, rarely exceed- 

 ing 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of ground limestone an acre. 



"An important point to be recognized by strawberry- 

 growers is, that weak plants are not likely to be heavy 

 bearers the next year. In consequence, the plants when 

 set should be supplied with a fertilizer reasonably rich in 

 available nitrogen. This fertilizer should usually be applied 

 at the rate of 1,000 to 1,500 pounds an acre at the time of 

 setting, and in the later years, just after picking the crop 

 of fruit, fertilizer may be scattered in a furrow turned 

 away from each side of the bed, after which the furrow may 

 be turned back again. Early each spring fertilizer should 

 be applied broadcast over the beds. This should contain 

 liberal quantities of soluble phosphoric acid and potash 

 but only enough nitrogen to promote reasonable growth. 

 This nitrogen should, however, be largely in readily soluble 

 and available forms. If too much nitrogen is used in the 

 spring the fruit will lack color, and it may be soft and 

 unsatisfactory, especially for distant shipment. It may 

 even be necessary to omit all nitrogen in the spring, if the 

 soil is exceptionally rich in humus or has been well manured 

 previously. This can be decided only by the observant 

 grower. 



"On many soils, superphosphate is preferable to basic 

 slag meal as a source of phosphoric acid for strawberries, 

 for the reason that too much lime is to be avoided, and, 

 furthermore, the phosphoric acid is largely soluble and 

 better adapted to top-dressing. On an exceedingly acid 

 soil the use of basic slag meal may be permissible for appli- 

 cation at the time of setting, for the action of the soil 

 aids in rendering it available to the plants." 



