COMMERCIAL HANDLING OF STRAWBERRIES 197 



The roots should be pruned back to about 3 or 4 inches. 

 All flowers should be kept off the plants the first season, 

 as this provides a stronger growth. It is best to get 

 the plants from a nurseryman or strawberry specialist, 

 as they are not as likely to be mixed as when obtained 

 from a neighbor. 



The method of planting in common farm use is the 

 matted row system. When the land is in good condi- 

 tion to work, harrow smooth, and mark out rows three 

 feet apart and as long as possible. Then set the plants 

 at 18-inch intervals in the rows, and cultivate often 

 enough to keep the weeds out and the soil loose until Sep- 

 tember. If the plants are then vigorous growers, the run- 

 ners should be about 6 inches apart. It is desirable to 

 train the runners the long way of the rows, cutting out 

 plants that crowd. 



An ordinary planting trowel or spade is used to set 

 the plants. A spade is an easy implement to open the 

 ground with. Strike it into the ground and work it back 

 and forth, draw out the spade, spread the roots of the 

 plant and set it so the crown comes just to the surface 

 of the ground. Firm the soil well about the roots of the 

 plant. This method requires a man to handle the spade 

 and a boy to set the plants. 



As soon as possible after setting the plants, cultivation 

 should commence and it should continue at frequent in- 

 tervals till fall. Keep the weeds down and the top soil 

 loose. If the runners get too thick, cut out part of them, 

 leaving about 6 inches between them. Runners may be 

 encouraged to root by putting an inch or two of soil 

 over each one, near the end. 



It requires about 7,000 strawberry plants for an acre, 

 and these will bear 25 to 50 bushels the first season if 

 allowed to do so. The custom is to pinch off all blossoms 

 the first year. A crop of 100 to 200 bushels may be ex- 

 pected the second summer. Clean straw or grass makes 



