2 LEAMOX G. TIXGLE, PITTSVILLE, 3IARYLAXD 



Some Planting Suggestions 



All varieties of the Strawberry give the greatest yield and the largest berries 

 when gi'own in rich soil; hence no pains should be spared in preparing the bed 

 carefully before planting, by digging or plowing deeply and turning unoer a liberal 

 application of well-rotted manure. Pulverize the surface soil thoroughly with 

 harrow and rake, and if a top-dressing of ground bone can be applied, it will be 

 found a great benefit at fruiting time. Select a location where the soil is moist 

 and deep if possible— moist and yet where water doe? not stand near or upon the 

 surface In such a soil well-enriched. Strawberries delight and give marvelous 

 results. They will, however, succeed upon any soil if well manured. Strawberries 

 do not succeed when planted in shady locations; hence in selecting a plot for them 

 be careful to avoid places that are shaded by trees. 



For hill culture in the family garden, set plants in rows two feet apart and the 

 plants fifteen inches apart in the rows; or if to be worked by horse and cultivator, 

 have the rows three feet and the plants one foot apart in the row. In either case, 

 cut off the runners as they appear. If to be grown in matted rows, plant in rows 

 three and one-half or four feet apart and the plants fifteen inches apart in the 

 rows, permitting the runners to set in the row so as to be about six inches apart 

 each way. The after-culture consists in keeping the soil mellow and free from 

 weeds by frequent hoeing and cultivation. If you live in the North, where you 

 are subject to severe freezes. I would advise you to mulch your plants. At the 

 approach of winter (as soon as the ground is frozen sufficiently to support the 

 weight of horse and cart) cover the entire b^d with straw or other loose light 

 material. Light strawy manure is excellent for this purpo-e. and the soluble por- 

 tion leaches into the soil and affords nourishment to the plants, while the fibrous 

 portion remains upon the surface as a mulch. Evergreen branches are very use- 

 ful for holding the mulch in place and are of themselves a protection. When the 

 plants start growth in spring, rake the mulch from, off the plants sufficiently to 

 permit them to push through it. and leave it on the surface about the plants to 

 protect the fruit and keep it clean and also keep the soil moist and cool. An 

 application of unleached wood-ashes or muriate of potash along the rows very early 

 in spring, just before a rainfall, will be found to increase the size, beauty and 

 flavor of the berries. 



Strawberry Plants For Fall Planting 



My sales of Strawberrj^ plants in the fall are rapidly increasing. Most plant 

 growers refuse to dig any plants before the first of November, because for every 

 plant big enough to sell others are destroyed that would be good ones later. Our 

 soil and conditions being especially adapted for an early growth, we usually begin 

 shipping about October 1st and sometimes a little earher. If you are interested in 

 fall-planting you should have a copy of my fall price-list, which will be ready to 

 mail about September 1st, each year. 



Testing Xe^^ Varieties. 



By all means have a small plot of ground for the purpose of testing the new 

 varieties. Each season get a few of each of the new kinds that appeal to you. 

 By doing this you are not investing a lot of your money in something that may not 

 suit j'our soil or locality, while among the new ones you are likely to find some 

 better than you now have. Many large growers say they could not afford to be 

 without their testing plot. This is not an expense as you will get enough berries 

 from it the first season to pay the expenses. Make a start this season. 



