DIRECTIONS FOR SETTING STRAWBERRIES 



Have the ground well plowed and harrowed, running over with the harrow the last 

 time the opposite direction (or at right angles) from what the rows are to run, so that 

 the tooth mark will not blind the mark of the marking oord. Draw the cord where 

 the rows are intended, drive down the stake at both ends, and walk upon or press it 

 to the ground -with the back of a hoe. This leaves a plain mark to set the plants 

 by. In field culture, where we want to make as rapid work as possible, we have two 

 cords and one person at each end. Then draw the cords straight and tight, where the 

 tows are intended, and set the stakes. Both persons then walk upon one cord until 

 they meet and then go back upon the other. Thus, by having two cords, two rows are 

 marked off by going one "bout." A number of rows are thus marked off ready for 

 setting. Another pTfan for marking out when very large plantations are to be. set and 

 it is desirable to get the plants in as quick as possible, providing the ground is free 

 from sod or other incumbrances, and in good order, is to plow out straight furrows 

 the proper distance apart, and set the plants in these as fast as one person can straighten 



and drop the roots, by placing the plant against 

 the perpendicular side of the furrow with one 

 hand and drawing in dirt up to the top of the 

 crown with the other, holding the plant in the 

 left hand as represented by Fig. 13, with the 

 roots spread out in shape and held so by two 

 fingers on the back side and thumb in front against 

 the land side of the furrow, and drawing in dirt 

 with the right hand against the plant, pressing 

 it closely around the roots. To set by the cord 

 marks, use a dibble made Bimilar to these, {Fig. 

 U,) holding it in the right hand. Thrust it into 

 the earth the depth the roots are long, (if the 

 Pig. is. roots are too long and spindling, it is better to 



nip them off a third or more.) Then it works back and forth both ways, so that the 

 hole will be large enough to admit the root, spread out fan shape, and held as above 

 described, holding it thus, with the crown a trifle below the surface, running the dibble 

 down an inch or so away from the plant at the top, and the pomt of the dibble, so 

 thrust in that it will be in close proximity to the root at the bottom, then press the top 

 of the dibble towards the plant, packing the soil up firmly against it, filling up the last 

 hole made by the dibble when it is withdrawn, and the setting is done. 11 it is a small 

 lot of some valuable high priced sort, and it should be dry, pour a little water in the 

 hole with the roots and fill in quickly with dirt, and shade for a day or two after setting 

 —although if roots are thoroughly saturated or " puddled" just before setting, there 

 will not De any failures to speak of, providing they are well spread out. The safest 

 and best way to set such, however, is to make a small hole and m the center place a 

 handfull of soil, rounded up. in a pyramidal form, over which spread out the roots as 

 represented by Fig. 15, covering all over firmly up to the crown. 



Fig. U- 



. CARE OF PLANTS AFTER SETTING-. 



The most important is to keep well cultivated and hoed, and to commence doing 

 so, too, before the weeds start or the surface gets baked. Herein is where most 

 people make a failure in growing strawberries. They put off hocmg too long after 



