20 



Wo cannot recommend setting too early in the Fall — as the roots -should become 

 well matured before being disturbed, especially if they are to be transported. We 

 have had the best success with Fall setting, from plants set in October — not losing 

 scarcely a plant. This was on light, sandy soil, that does not Sheave." In fact, we 

 hate had good success with plants set up to the time the ground froze, by merely 

 scattering some coarse litter over the surface before the ground thawed out. 



We are often asked the question, "Which is the best time to set — Spring or Fall ? 

 It does seem to us that it must be apparent to every such questioner, that the sooner 

 the plants are out, the more roots they form — consequently the greater the crop the 

 first bearing season. If set in the Spring, they yield a full crop the next season, while 

 if set in the Fall, they yield but a small crop the next season. If the ground is not 

 ready in the Spring, we should of course prefer to set in the Fall than to wait until 

 the next Spring, as they wpuld yield a small crop the next season, while if set in the 

 Spring, tlw-y do not yield any fruit to speak of the first season. In fact, it is better to 

 pick all blossoms off the first season they are planted, as many young plants so exhaust 

 themselves in fruiting that they die out immediately afterwards. This is especially the 

 case with Wilson's Albany. 



We understand in the extreme South and in California, where strawberries commence 

 to ripen in January and February, they set in the Fall. In such localities it would be 

 well for those who order any kind of plants from the North to have them forwarded 

 before the first of December, as winter generally sets in about that time here, after 

 which plants cannot be removed before the 15th of March to the 1st of April.' They 

 should be ordered the last of October, so that they can be sent forward the first or 

 second week in December. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 



If the ground is sufficiently rich to grow good potatoes or corn, it will grow as 

 comparatively good strawberries. If not in good order, manure thoroughly with any 

 well rotted compost. New coarse manures are very risky, especially for light soils, 

 for, if the Spring should prove dry, the plants dry out badly. Plow or spade deep 

 when the ground is in a dry condition, for if too wet and soggy, it leaves the surface 

 stiff and bakey If convenient, scatter a liberal supply of well rotted compost over 

 the surface which not only enriches the soil, but acts as a mulch to keep the surface 

 moist, and prevent it from "baking." > 



As for the soil necessary to grow strawberries, it has never been our lot to see any 

 that would not grow them, — providing it was sufficiently dry, or could be made so by 

 draining, or if vegetable manures were within reach to be had. The same can be 

 said of ail other kinds of Small Fruits that we have had any experience with. We, 

 of course, will admit that the lighter soils are easier and more economically cultivated. 

 The lighter soils, too, will produce earlier and better flavored fruit, while the heavier 

 soils will produce later and larger fruit. Elevated soils are less liable to be affected 

 by Spring frosts, hence should be selected for the earliest Spring fruit— the strawber- 

 ry, especially the earliest sorts. South and southeast side-hills should be chosen to 

 produce early fruit, and north side-hills, late fruit. Thus the season may be extended. 



TO GROW LARGE FRUIT. 



• Grow in hills. Mulch heavily with straw or hay. Water liDerally with liquid 

 manure, which can be produced by filling a barrel full of manure and running rain 

 water through it. Pick off all but one or two f rait stems, and thin out these, and 

 specimens of fruit will be produced that will "astonish the natives"— especially if 

 the variety be of the large sorts. 



TO PRODUCE FRUIT LATE IN THE SEASON. 



Pick off all fruit stems as fast aB they make their appearance at the usual time. 

 Keep the plants well watered with the liquid manure, and surface shaded with straw 

 or hay, and you will be almost certain of a fair crop in September or October. 



