STRAWBERRY PLANTS OF QUAIJTY 



STRAWBERRY CULTURE (Continued) 



Muhiiing — Miilcliins is the best way to protect the phnits from freezinj? and thawing 

 in winter, to preserve nioistnre during- a dry season and to Iceep the berries from getting 

 sandy during a rain. Wheat straw is considered the best material, but rye straw, marsh 

 grass, coarse manure (if not lumpy) or similar material may be used. Apply this in the 

 fall and when growth starts in the spring rake off the beds into the middles between the 

 rows where it serves the purpose retarding the growth of weeds and also makes picking 

 easier. 



Cultivation — Cultivation should begin as soon as possible after plants are set and 

 should continue once a week or ten days, if land is in suitable condition, through the sum- 

 mer and early fall to keep free from weeds and help retain moisture. Hoe as often as 

 necessary to keep down weeds, but shallow, so as not to disturb the roots. When hoeing 

 the first time be sure to uncover the buds of all plants that have been covered by planting 

 or cultivating. If this is not done they will not amount to very much. The first young 

 plants should be encouraged to take root as this will enable them to get started earlier 

 and make better beds and should be trained in the row so they will not be over crowded, 

 especially the varieties that make a great many plants. 



Mating Varieties — All pistillate or imperfect varieties, I list only two, Haverland and 

 Big Late and these are niarked (Imii) in price list, have to be fruited with some good per- 

 fect blossom variety of same season as they will not fruit if planted alone. A good way 

 to fruit them is to plant every second or third row with the perfect variety (or four or 

 five rows Imperfect and two perfect) altho some growers plant them in the same row 

 using about one-fourth of the perfect variety ; planting in this way, both varieties in the 

 same row, you could not, of course, keep the berries of each variety separate at picking 

 time. All the other varieties listed are perfect blossom and can be planted alone or with 

 other varieties. It is probably better to plant more than one variety in one field because 

 of the beneficial effect of cross pollenization. 



Removing the Blossoms — This is very important if you wish success with your plants 

 for if the plants are allowed to produce fruit they are greatly weakened, using the great- 

 er part of their vitality, therefore all blossoms should be removed the first year. On 

 everbearing varieties all blossoms should be removed until about the middle of July, or 

 imtil they get started good, when they can be allowed to fruit. 



Plants and Service Are What Count 



When You Buy Strawberry Plants These Things Are Essential 



First — Be sure the plants are true-to-name. It is discouraging as well as unprofit- 

 able to find at picking time you have not got the variety you ordered and which may not 

 be suitable to your requirements, or to find that you have a mixture of varieties some of 

 which may be worthless. I am very particular with the stock plants that I set to see 

 that they are strictly true-to-name and this year I am putting a label in every bundle 

 to make sure they are kept true 



Second — Plants should be vigorous, healthy, and well-rooted and dug from new beds 

 that have not produced a crop of fruit. It costs just as much to prepare and fertilize, 

 plant and care for an acre of poor plants that did not have vitality enough to grow and 

 make a good fruiting bed as it does an acre of well bedded fruiting rows — the result of 

 planting vigorous, healthy, well rooted plants. 



Third — Plants should be fresh dug, well cleaned and graded. They should not only 

 be fresh dug but kept fresh and moist and not allow wind and sun to dry out and wither. 

 The dead leaves and runners should be removed, the small plants thrown out and roots 

 straightened before bunching so as to facilitate planting. 



Fourth — And last but not least plants should be properly packed in damp moss and 

 shipped as soon as dug as plants that have been held in storage for some time will not 

 start growing as quickly nor do as well as i)lants that are fresh dug. Promptness in 

 digging and shipping your order is very essential in having your plants reach you in 

 fresh, good growing condition. 



As to whether my plants and services are up to the above specifications I refer you 

 to the letters printed in this catalogue. My aim and ambition is, to fill your order so you 

 will be so well pleased that you will not only order ne\t year but that some of your 

 friends and neighbors will send me their orders too. That's the kind of advertising that 

 pays. 



