CULTURAL NOTES IO7 



III 



CULTURAL NOTES 



This being the first bulletin from the station on the straw- 

 berry, the writer finds it necessary to discuss the cultural 

 directions in order to meet a number of inquiries already at 

 hand, as well as to place before others such information as is 

 likely to be desired. 



The same general principles hold true in strawberry culture, 

 whether grown for home use or the market. 



Soil and Fertilizer. — Strawberries do well on almost any 

 well-drained soil, reasonably fertile and at a fair elevation. A 

 friable clay loam gives the best results if properly managed. 

 Fall plowing, together with a liberal application of fertilizer 

 and thorough cultivation, ensures a greater degree of success. 

 There is little danger of making the soil too rich, the only pre- 

 caution being an understanding of the action of the commercial 

 fertilizers, as there are possibilities of injury when used in 

 large quantities close to the plant. A thoroughly well-rotted 

 manure is an ideal fertilizer, but where the soil contains plenty 

 of humus, as in the average garden, wood ashes and ground 

 bone give good results. Where wood ashes are not to be de- 

 pended upon, sulphate or muriate of potash will do as a substi- 

 tute, using a proportionately less amount (ordinarily one-tenth 

 as much). The soil having thus been plowed and mulched, it 

 is left in this condition until spring. The next step is to fit the 

 land to receive the plants, which is done with the cultivator, 

 harrow, and roller. 



This plan is the one to be practiced at the station. Strawr 

 berries, however, are often planted at other seasons of the year, 

 August being considered by some the best month. What has 

 been said of the proper conditions of soil for the spring planting 

 applies equally well here. The soil should be in condition to 

 receive the plants early to ensure success. A good plan is to 

 use the land from which some hoed crop has been taken. The 

 soil is then in a fine degree of tilth. The white grub ( Lach- 

 nostertia fusca) and a few other insects are so frequently 

 troublesome where strawberries follow sod that few people ever 



