10 ALLEN'S BOOK OF BERRIES— 1926 



twice in each row with horse and cultivator to stir it in well. We planted young 

 trees in one block and the tree rows were skipped. Our results were really remark- 

 able. The fertilized rows started quicker and faster, grew better all season and now 

 have lots more plants and better beds than the unfertilized rows. There are about 

 20 varieties in the field and the same results hold on all varieties. 



But don't use too much of this. One grower in this county learned what we 

 were using and tried it, also, but used 1000 lbs. per acre in the drill, and that not 

 worked in as thoroughly as our 400 lbs. Result, he killed about half of his plants, 

 especially the side of his field which was highest and lightest. He probably could 

 have used that much advantageously had he applied it broadcast and harrowed 

 it in well. 



Perfect and Imperfect Varieties. Perfect flowering varieties planted alone 

 will mature a crop of perfect fruit. Imperfect flowering varieties should have per- 

 fect varieties planted with them, at least one row for every five or six. When two 

 varieties are used in equal amounts, they are often alternated three or four rows 

 of each. In our price-list, perfect flowering varieties are followed by "per" — imper- 

 fect varieties by "imp". 



Mulching. A mulch is applied for one or all of three reasons: First, to protect 

 the plants from freezing and thawing of the soil in winter; second, to keep the soil 

 cool and moist during the season when fruit is being produced; third, to keep the 

 berries from being spattered with dirt by rain during fruiting season. 



The mulch should be applied in the fall. In the spring when plants begin to 

 start this is raked to the center of the rows and there serves the purpose of retard- 

 ing the growth of weeds and grass, keeping the ground loose and moist and the 

 fruit clean. Use coarse manure, marsh grass, rye straw or similar material. 



Green Manure Crops. In many sections where stable manure used to be plen- 

 tiful and reasonably priced, it is now scarce and high priced. Green manure crops, 

 properly handled, will take the place of stable manure very successfully. Sow soy 

 beans or cow peas in late spring or early summer. We prefer broadcast sowing of 

 these crops. Even though it takes more seed than row planting you do not need to 

 cultivate and you get greater, finer and more evenly distributed crop of humus, 

 including both tops and roots. Plow under in early fall and plant rye, wheat, or 

 some other crops to hold the soil in winter. This fall sown crop should be plowed 

 and disced very early in spring, however, to make room for early planting. 

 Buckwheat in late summer makes lots of humus. Alfalfa, sweet clover, or in 

 fact almost any crop that makes lots of humus, turned into the ground sometime 

 ahead, leaves the soil in excellent condition for strawberry plants. 



How Far Apart. We recommend setting plants in rows 3>2 or 4 ft. apart. Set 

 the plants from 18 to 24 inches apart in the row. Free growing varieties like 

 Missionary, Dunlap, Paul Jones, etc., should be set 24 inches apart. Varieties 

 like Chesapeake, Marshall and others that do not make plants freely should be 

 set only 18 inches apart in the row. 



CANNOT PRAISE TOO HIGHLY 



Prince George Co., Md., March 30, 1925. 

 Please send the book of berries to the following parties: In connection with this cannot refrain 

 from telling you that the plants I received from you two years ago produced the most wonderful 

 berries it has ever been my lot to look at, and I have seen them grown in the North and in the 

 extreme southern part of our country, and I have never seen such berries grown anywhere. The 

 Florida berries cannot compare with them in the slightest degree, and while I only raise the berries 

 for my own use, last season I had to sell about 400 quarts or just let them decay on the vines, and 

 people were glad to get them at most any price even when there were lots of them on the market. 

 I cannot praise them too highly. 



Chas. T. Whittier 



