CULTURAL NOTES 



91 



Setting PliDits. — The best time for setting tiie plants, as stated, is 

 in the early spring. By so doing the plants become thoroughly estab- 

 lished, and if given proper cultivation and training usually ensure a 

 maximum crop the following season. On the other hand, plants 

 started in pots in the spring are often set out in late summer or 

 early fall. Although this latter system is quite a popular one, only 

 from one-third to one-half the crop is obtained the first season. Its 

 advocates, however, show that by so doing, a previous hoed crop 

 may be obtained. Pot-grown plants cost more than the ordinary 

 field-grown. 



No plant needs more care in transplanting. The crown should be 

 on a level with the soil, no lower, no higher; the roots should not be 

 allowed to get dry. Dip them in w-ater when they begin to get dry. 

 Trim the roots back at least one-third and spread them fan shape when 

 setting, filling in gradually; firm well. 



Distance apart to set plants depends upon Jioiv they are to be trained. 

 — There are two methods of setting out strawberry plants commonly 

 practised, each of which depends upon the proposed system of train- 

 ing. These are («) Hill culture, which, as the term implies, consists 

 in growing each plant by itself in a hill, not allowing the runners to 

 grow or flowers to set the first season. This causes each plant to be- 

 come stalwart and large, and where properly grown are very produc- 

 tive the following year. The plants are usually set in rows three feet 

 apart and one foot apart in the row. This method is little used by 

 commercial growers on account ot its requiring too much time to keep 

 off th^ runners. Where one has a small garden and desires to make 

 a fine display, hill culture will prove of value. 



{b) Matted rows. This is the method commonly used by com- 

 mercial growers. The plants are set in rows varying from three to 

 four feet apart, and from fifteen to eighteen inches apart in the row. 

 When the runners start they are either placed or allowed to run at 

 will. When well set they form a continuous matted row. The 

 grower can suit himself as to just how wide the row should be, and 

 train accordingly. After having blocked out the row, cut off the 

 runners to keep them within bounds. When the row is about twelve 

 inches wide, it is termed the Narrow Matted Row, and when about 

 double that width, the Wide Matted Row. To get the finest berries 

 the runners should be thinned out at some time during the season. 

 It is a good practice to do this after the rows are formed, tor fear that 

 drouth, insects, etc., may assist. Where plants are fall set, compara- 

 tively few runners form. The plants should not set any fruit the sea- 

 son they are transplanted, which is prevented by picking the flower 

 clusters. 



Bearing Period. — Just how long a bed should be kept in bearing 

 seems to be a disputed question. Commercial grov/ers are generally 

 agreed that, from the dollar and cent standpoint, more is made from 

 the fruit of the first season than any other. It is larger, plants are 

 less troubled with insect enemies and diseases, and it costs less to 

 plant a new than clean out an old bed. While this is generally advo- 

 cated, it is not universally followed, as many growers hesitate before 



