possible, a stiff, heavy clay. While a clay loam will give tbe best results if 

 properly managed, it will not prove satisfactory unless it is well drained and 

 the soil thoroughly prepared in the autumn previous to planting. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 



For profitable growing on a large scale, select a piece of well-drained 

 clay loam. This should receive a heavy coating of manure in the spring and 

 then be either summer-fallowed or planted with potatoes, vegetables, or some 

 other early crop which can be removed in time to permit of a proper prepara- 

 tion of the land in autumn before it becomes too wet with fall rains. A sub- 

 soiler should follow the common plough, one that will stir up the sub-soil to 

 the depth of 5 to 10 inches without bringing any of it to the top. Sub- 

 soiling is not absolutely necessary, but land thus loosened up will retain 

 moisture longer in time of drought and dry off much more rapidly after 

 heavy rains. The last ploughing in the fall should be thoroughly done and 

 suitable furrows provided, so that all surface water may run off quickly. 

 Early in the spring, as soon as the weather and the condition of the soil will 

 permit, cultivate deeply, both lengthwise and crosswise, with a two-horse 

 cultivator; harrow down smooth and the land will be ready for planting. 

 Avoid plowing a heavy soil in the spring for immediate planting. 



Gravelly or sandy loam should be heavily manured in the spring, and 

 may be planted with vegetables. All weeds should be kept down during the 

 summer. Plough in the fall and again in the following spring, and harrow 

 thoroughly. No subsequent tillage will make up for inadequate preparation 

 of the soil for strawberry culture. A stiff clay loam is* more difficult to 

 manage. A crop of clover or other green manure turned under will help to 

 make the soil more friable. Coarse barnyard manure should also be used 

 whenever it can be applied in time to decompose and become well mixed with 

 the soil before planting. Tile drains in such soil require to be much 

 nearer together and should not be too deep, usually not more than two and 

 a half feet. In the autumn, before the land becomes too wet, trench it up 

 in high, narrow ridges ; if done with the plough, turn two furrows together, 

 forming a sharp ridge, as when prepared for carrots or other roots. Surface 

 drains should be made to take off surplus water quickly. When thus 

 exposed to the action of the frost, a comparatively heavy soil will work down 

 fine and mellow in the spring and give good results. Care must be taken, 

 however, never to stir such soil when wet, either with hoe, plough or 

 cultivator. 



(Michigan Bulletin No. 163.) 



To precede the strawberries, a heavy clover sod is desirable, as this can 

 be turned under and will not only provide a large amount of plant food, but 

 it will so add to the humus in the soil that there will be far less danger from 

 drought 



Sod land is not desirable, as it is generally deficient in humus and plant 

 food and frequently contains insect larvae, which may prove destructive to- 

 the plants. Almost any of the hoed crops may be used for one year previous 

 to setting the plants and will leave the land in good condition for the straw- 

 berries, especially if it was heavily top-dressed with stable manure in the 



