188 



HOME FRUIT GROWER 



Fig. 124. -Dr. Burrill, one of the best Strawberries 



of ground may grow 

 Strawberries, and grow 

 them to perfection. Pro- 

 ceed as follows: 



As early as possible in 

 Spring, plow or dig the 

 ground and pulverize the 

 soil deeply with harrow 

 or rake. If the soil is 

 light make it firm by roll- 

 ing or pressing with a 

 board, laid flat and walked 

 on; if heavy no packing 

 may be needed. When pos- 

 sible manure the area the 



Fall previous or at least several weeks before plowing if the manure is 

 fresh, if old apply it just before digging or plowing. A fair rule to 

 follow is about one to two pounds to the square foot, equivalent to 

 20 to 40 tons to the acre. If not convenient to apply previous to 

 plowing the manure may be placed between the rows after the plants 

 have been set. It will thus serve as a mulch and a supplier of plant 

 food which later will be washed into the soil by showers. Manure 

 not ' strawey" should not interfere with cultivation or hoeing. For 

 the ordinary home garden of about 200 plants occupying 500 to 600 

 square feet, five or six wheelbarrow loads will be about right one 

 barrow load to each 100 square feet. 



One special caution must be made: Never make a Strawberry 

 bed on ground that has been in any kind of sod, because white 

 grubs are sure to be there and will destroy the berry plants. It is 

 claimed that Glover, Alfalfa, Blue Grass and some other sods are not 

 breeders of this pest, but it is just as well to err on the safe side and 

 to avoid all sod where possible, and where not possible to plow or dig 

 the area the previous Fall so as to kill the grubs. 



In setting the plants have the crowns set level with the surface 

 of the ground. If so high that the roots are exposed, the plants will 

 dry; if the crowns are covered even slightly they will usually decay or 

 the plants be stunted. As with setting other plants, the soil must be 

 firmed well about the roots. If the roots are long it is well to shorten 

 them by laying them across the hand with the crowns between the 

 index finger and the thumb and then shearing off what root-parts 

 extend lower than the little finger and the ball of the hand. This 

 will leave the roots about four inches long, easy to handle when trans- 



