194 HAVE EARLY AND LATE STRAWBERRIES 



is advisable to take a piece of land that has borne some 

 such crop as clover, cowpeas or turnips and which has 

 had a lot of well-rotted manure plowed in. A bit of land 

 that has had rather more than ordinary cultivation is best 

 of all. A gentle slope is desirable, or the land may become 

 soggy at a time when the young plants need warm, loose 

 soil. Drained land usually answers the purpose well. Fall 

 plowing is recommended. Then in the spring, before 

 planting, the soil should be stirred up with a disc or har- 

 row, after which a roller ought to be used. 



Occasionally a successful grower is found who sets 

 out strawberry plants late in the summer in order to get 

 fruit the next season, but spring planting is preferable. 

 Plant as early as the soil can be worked or as soon as 

 the danger from frost is over. Rows should be three 

 feet apart to permit the use of a horse cultivator, and 

 plants are to be twelve to sixteen inches apart in the rows. 



Commence cultivation as soon as the ground is dry 

 enough and let it be thorough, once every week during the 

 summer. As the row begins to widen the farmer should 

 each time narrow down the cultivated space between the 

 rows, and after the row has attained the proper width con- 

 tinue to cultivate to prevent plants forming in the center 

 of the rows. 



Do not let the fields become matted, but maintain an 

 open center between the rows. Matting may be allowed 

 in the rows, as this is a natural growth for the straw- 

 berry. Better results are obtained by growing in matted 

 rows than under any other method. 



The plants must not be allowed to suffer for water in 

 the fruiting season and a mulch will be found to be of 

 great advantage. High cultivation is essential for the 

 best results in all crops, and in growing these straw- 

 berries a little extra trouble will pay well. 



Pot-grown strawberries are superior to the ordinary 

 ground layers usually sold, as there is no loss of fine 



