STRAWBERRY. 249 



land. In a general way, any land or location that is good enough 

 for a crop of corn will do admirably for strawberries, but straw- 

 berries should never be planted on sod-land on account of the 

 liability of its being infested with cut-worms, or with white 

 grubs which feed on the roots of the plants. 



Manure and preparation of the land. — The strawberry is a 

 gross feeder and needs plenty of plant food in the soil. The best 

 fertilizer is barn-yard manure, but it should not be plowed in 

 very deep because the plant feeds mainly in the surface soil. 

 It is generally best to plow the land in autumn, turning in the 

 manure about six inches deep if it is coarse, but if partially rot- 

 ted, four inches is deep enough to cover it. The land should be 

 thoroughly dragged and smoothed in the spring when it is ready 

 for the plants. When so prepared the land has a loose surface 

 bed in which to set the plants, while underneath it the soil is 

 BO firm as to retain the moisture and yet it is open enough so that 

 the young roots can push into it. 



Time of planting. — Practically there is only one time to plant 

 and that is in the spring. It is occasionally recommended to 

 plant in August. It may be all right to do so in case there is no 

 ■strawberry bed in the home garden and there is considerable 

 moisture in the ground so the plants will live without too much 

 care; but in ordinary seasons the results from setting the plants 

 at this time are very uncertain and do not warrant the planting 

 of them on a large scale. If it is decided to set a bed for the 

 home garden in August, the plants may be well-rooted layers 

 from some bed near by, or if obtained from a distance they should 

 have been potted and be well rooted in the pots. The potted 

 plants cost more but are more certain to grow than layers. The 

 growers of strawberries for profit nearly always plant in the 

 spring. The earlier the plants can be set the longer the season 

 for them to grow, and the cool, moist weather of early spring 

 seems to favor the formation of roots. But they may be set as 

 late as the first of June with fair prospect of success. However, 

 if the land is very dry at planting time, it is best not to plant 

 until after a rain, even if waiting for it delays the planting con- 

 siderably. It Is poor practice to set out strawberry plants in 

 dry soil and try to keep them growing by watering, as so much 



