228 The Fruit-Growers Guide-Book 



sible condition the strawberry will produce its best and 

 most profitable crops. 



In the preparation of the land the drainage of the soil 

 needs to be considered, for if not naturally well drained 

 tile should be put in so as to prevent water standing on the 

 land and to promote the aeration of the soil. But if drain- 

 ing is not a necessity, the question of fertility of the soil 

 will be of first importance. Barnyard manure is by far 

 the best fertilizer to apply to land which is to be planted 

 to strawberries. This is so because it not only adds to 

 the elements of fertility, but it also adds organic matter 

 that will be converted into humus to improve the tilth of 

 the soil, and promote a better general physical condition. 

 This manure should be applied as fast as it is made, as 

 then it contains the maximum of fertility and will be more 

 nearly free from the white grub, which causes such serious 

 damage to strawberry beds by eating off the roots of the 

 plants. 



The amount of manure which needs to be applied to 

 the soil will depend on the general fertility, but ten or fif- 

 teen big wagon loads to each acre will not be too much for 

 the average land. Distribute the manure with a manure 

 spreader, as then it will be applied in a thin, even coat over 

 the land, and can be applied more quickly than by any 

 other means. But in cases where an abundance of stable 

 manure is not available, soil improving crops handled in 

 the best manner for improving the fertility and texture of 

 soils will be most suitable, and in connection with them it 

 may be necessary to add small amounts of potash and 

 phosphorous as the local conditions may warrant. 



The manure or cover crops should be plowed under as 

 earl}'- in the spring as the soil can be worked, care being 

 exercised to secure a uniform depth throughout. On this 

 account a riding plow will serve a better purpose in most 

 localities than the usual walking plow, and especially in 

 the hands of an inexperienced plowman. The depth to 

 which the land should be plowed will depend on the gen- 

 eral nature of the soil. In soils which are naturally deep, 

 the plowing can be done deeper than in shallow soils, 



