For the Southern States. 



109 



A FEW PEACTICAL SUGGESTIONS 



on the preparation of lands for 



GROWING STRAWBERRIES, 



with metliod of planting and selection of varieties. 

 By S. M. WIGGINS. 



To write a practical article on Strawberry culture, knowing that it 

 will meet the eyes of practical men who for years have been engaged in 

 the business of growing and disseminating this popular and delicious 

 fruit, is an undertaking fraught with peril to the writer. "We know that 

 we will be criticized, but we feel that our readers will not be too harsh, 

 and on our part will endeavor to receive them with meekness and profit 

 by the same. 



The time for preparation. — There is a time for all things, and the 

 preparation of the land by cleansing and fertilizing is the most im- 

 portant, how to do this practically and economically, is in our view most 

 important. We have much land, especially our alluvium, which is 

 overrun with noxious weeds and grasses, and which it is necessary to 

 destroy. To accomplish this is a point to study ; our experience is that 

 the common Cow Pea will do this cheaper than anything else. Take 

 a piece of land, for instance, on which a crop of Potatoes, Winter Oats 

 or Turnips has been harvested, plow and sow the Peas broadcast dur- 

 ing the latter part of May, or early part of June, and you at once have 

 a crop which will accomplish both the cleaning and fertilizing cheaper 

 than any method we are yet acquainted with. 



# Further preparation.— -During the months of August and Septem- 

 ber, your Peas, having attained their full growth, may be spaded in, 

 this is probably the best where a small area is to be planted. If not 

 practicable to do this, procure a roller, which may be made cheaply 

 from a log of two feet in diameter, roll thoroughly and smoothly and 

 follow after with a turning plow, using a circular colter or disc lapping 

 the furrows and bringing the vegetation out of sight. Pass the roller 

 over the land and leave all smooth. In most cases this will be all of 

 the fertilization necessary for the first season. And will be found more 

 economical than any method we are acquainted with. 



Preparation for planting. — A month or six weeks will now elapse, 

 which will bring the Strawberry planter to a point when he will feel it 

 necessary to set out the young plants. The green crop has rotted suf- 

 ficiently and all will depend on the weather. If the season is propi- 

 tious and timely rains have fallen, then the quicker the work is com- 

 menced the greater certainty he will have of repeating a crop the first 

 season. 



The land should be well plowed and subsoiled, the more thorough- 

 ly this is done the better. Do not bury the fertilizing too deep, but the 

 subsoiler may go as deep as possible ; a deep soil means freedom from 

 the effects of draught, better rooted and more vigorous plants, after- 



