36 Strawberry-Growing 



ESSENTIALS TO SUCCESS IN PLANTING 



Strawberry plants are easily injured by heat and dry- 

 ness. In humid regions, wait for a cool and cloudy day, 

 unless the planting season is already far spent. If there 

 can be no delay, planting is best done in early morning 

 and late afternoon. When irrigation is available, plant- 

 ing can be done at any time of the day, but it is prudent 

 to avoid midday. 



There are three essentials to success ; the roots must 

 be kept cool and moist, the soil pressed very firmly 

 aroimd the roots and the crown left at the right height. 



Methods of 'protecting the roots. 



The plants should be packed tightly in shallow boxes and 

 covered with wet burlap before taken to the field. There 

 they are placed, roots downward, in buckets containing a 

 few inches of water. When planting a large field, a barrel 

 of dampened plants, covered with wet burlap, may be placed 

 at the end of each row. 



A handy tray for setters is made by putting a bail on 

 a tin pan about five inches deep. Some prefer a hooded 

 basket (Plate III). It is not necessary to puddle the roots 

 with clay before planting; if they are kept damp and 

 cool, that is suflScient protection. Atmospheric condi- 

 tions and the rapidity of planting will determine the margin 

 of safety. The droppers should not get more than a few 

 plants ahead of the setters, unless it is raining or cloudy. 



Firm setting. 



It is hardly possible to set plants too firaily in ordinary 

 soils. Loose planting is responsible for many poor stands. 

 The lighter the soil, the greater the necessity for firming 



