Successful Strawberry Gardens 



ONE of the most pleasing features of Strawberry grow- 

 ing is the ease of cultivation; they are readily adapt- 

 ed to a great variety of soils and climates. The cli- 

 matic conditions that Strawberries will withstand are in fact 

 surprising. Strawberry growing in Alaska has been a con- 

 siderable industry for some time, which is an excellent indi- 

 cation of the hardiness of this very desirable fruit. 

 In laying out the Strawberry bed, any good substantial gar- 

 den soil, clay or loam that holds an abundance of humus 

 or other plant food, will be found very satisfactory. The 

 bed should be dug and thoroughly cultivated to a depth of 

 12 or 14 inches, incorporating with the soil rotted leaves or 

 v^ell rotted manure of any kind. Fresh manure should be 

 avoided because it usually holds grub worms. After culti- 

 vation scatter bone meal at the rate of 100 pounds to each 

 bed 15 X 50 feet, raking it well into the surface. 

 Six hours of sunshine every day should be the minimum, and 

 it is well to keep this in mind when locating the Strawberry 

 beds. Heavy soils will bear abundant crops providing the 

 drainage is satisfactory. On lighter, sandier soils extra irri- 

 gation may be necessary. The heavier soil is preferable, 

 as results will be more positive with less care and attention. 



Care Required for Best Results 



LIKE practically all other growing things. Strawberries 

 respond to care and attention, and if one goes to great 

 length to insure their growth the results will more than 

 repay for the extra attention given the young plants. Upon 

 arrival unpack the plants at once, placing them in a cool, 

 shady spot, sprinkling lightly with water; after the sun has 

 gone down take them where the ground is prepared, and 

 just before planting dip each root ball in a pail of water. 

 In the home garden where hand cultivation is practiced 

 plants may be set in rows two feet part with the plants one 

 foot apart in the row. Where horse cultivation is employed 

 place the rows three feet apart. Cut off all runners as they 

 appear. If you prefer matted rows, allow 3 V2 to 4 feet 

 between them, this will give larger crops on rich soil. Keep 

 in mind that regardless of the distance between rows the 

 plants should be set not more than a foot apart in the 

 row. For the first two or three days after planting, if the 

 sun is extremely hot, it is well to shade the plants in some 

 manner during the hottest part of the day. 



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