A B C OF PLOIilfi.l TRI'CKIXG 1_'5 



CHAPTER XX\'JII. 

 stra\vi:errii;s. 



This delicious fruit is found growing in all part^ of Flor- 

 ida. It seems to adapt itself to the soil and climate of every 

 section. At Starke, Lawtey and Lakeland they are raised 

 ver}' extensi\'ely for shipment to market, and the growers at 

 these points have realized large jjrohts from them, but there 

 is no reason why other parts of the State can not start rais- 

 ing the berries for shipment and do as well as the above 

 named points. 



\\ liile the strawberry does well on all kinds of Florida 

 soil, it prefers good flat-woods land, with a clay subsoil, that 

 AN'ill hold sufficient moisture. It is a good idea to give the 

 lanrl an application of Canadian hardwood ashes, about a 

 ton to the acre, applying it broadcast and harrowing it in 

 about a month before you are ready to set the plants. The 

 same rule applies to the land that you wish to plant straw- 

 berries on, that does to other crops, and that is \ou can not 

 get the land in tor, good a condition, as most of the work 

 with the crop is done before \'ou set the plants. 



FERTILIZER. 



The first application of fertilizer is applied broadcast be- 

 fore the plants are set, using one that is heavy in ammonia, 

 to make plenty of bush. The following will make a good 

 mixture : Ammonia, 6% ; available phosphoric acid, 7% ; 

 potash, 6%. Wait until this fertilizer has been in the ground 

 for at least ten days before setting the plants, to keep from 

 burning them. When the plants are ready to bloom give 

 another application of fertilizer that is strong in potash and 

 phosphoric acid. The following will make a good mixture : 

 Ammonia, 3%; available phosphoric acid, 8'' ; potash. 12%. 

 Use a thousand pounds at each application. 



