AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. G7 



Thorough drainage, either natural or artificial, is absolutely 

 essential, and thoroughness in the preparation of the soil is of 

 prime importance, but the excessive applications of manure and 

 the hand labor frequently advised are unnecessary. It is well to 

 grow some hoed crop as corn or potatoes on the land for one or 

 two years before setting the plants, as in this way there is less dan- 

 ger from attacks of the "white grub." 



The mouth of May is, perhaps, the best time for setting straw- 

 berry plants in this latitude, though good results often follow fall 

 setting. Two very important considerations in setting the plants 

 are that the crowns be just even with the surface of the earth and 

 that the soil be pressed firmly about the roots. These points can- 

 not be too strongly emphasized, for to their disregard may be 

 traced more than half the failures in starting new plantings. 



For general field culture the ''matted row" system is probably 

 best. The rows should be as long as convenient, that most of the 

 labor of cultivating may be performed with a horse. The plants 

 should be set eighteen inches apart in rows which are about four 

 feet apart. Thus placed, a little more than seven thousand plants 

 will be required for an acre. During the first season thorough 

 culture should be practiced. It is also well to keep the runners cut 

 back till the parent plants are strong and well developed. 



"Winter protection of the plants is always advisable. The value 

 of such treatement is two fold : Not only are the plants protected 

 from injury, but the fruit is kept clean and bright. Tlie best 

 material for the purpose is coarse meadow hay cut before the seeds 

 have ripened. We have sometimes used "shingle edgings" with 

 very satisfactory results. In the vicinity of large mills this material 

 may often be obtained much more cheaply than the hay. 



On light gravelly soils we have sometimes resorted to the use of 

 boards on each side of the row of plants as illustrated below : 



This device is found a very satisfactoiy means of conserving 

 moisture and will permit the growth of plants in locations which 

 would otherwise be unsuitable. Naturally this device is recom- 

 mended only for the home garden. 



