Cultural Practices 



strawberries are easily grown, however the factors governing the growth of the plants 

 and proclnetion of the fruit, that can be controlled, will usually more than offset the effects of 

 varied weather conditions. Good care and poor weather will usually produce more and better 

 fruit and larger profits than poor care and good weather. Following are suggestions on every 

 phase of Strawberrj^ Culture which we hope will aid you in getting the maximum of both pleas- 

 ure and profit from your berry plantings. Should yo'u have any questions which are not an- 

 swered here Vv^e shall be glad to have you write us. 



Adaptability: The strawberry is the most ver- 

 satile fruit growu and is successful from Florida to 

 Califoruia, and can be grown on almost any soil 

 that will retain sufficient moisture to mature the 

 fruit. The adaptability of each variety for certain 

 latitudes make this wide range possible. 



Soil Selection: To produce the maximum yield 

 the selection of suitable soil is of major import- 

 ance. As strawberries draw very heavily on mois- 

 ture at fruiting time and if there is not sufficient 

 present, the crop will be cut down materially, the 

 soil selected should be retentive of moisture, should 

 contain an abundance of humus and at the same 

 time have good drainage. These are the essentials 

 of good strawberry soil. In sections where the 

 white grub is prevalent, the soil selected for ber- 

 ries should have been planted to truck crops that 

 had thorough cultivation for two years, previous 

 to setting the berry plants. Soil that has been 

 planted to truck crops is preferable in all cases as 

 the clean cultivation given the preceding crop will 

 cut down the presence of weed seed and the soil 

 Avill be in better mechanical condition. Newly nlow- 

 ed sod land should be avoided as it may be badly 

 infested with white grub and at best it is rough 

 and hard to get in any sort of condition. If no 

 other land is available, plow in the fall and disc 

 or harrow several times during the winter and 

 spring. This will aid in getting the soil in better 

 condition and most of the grubs will be killed out. 



Preparing the IjancI: When conditions permit it 

 is well to plow down a cover crop of rye and vetch 

 or other co\er crop suitable for your section, of 

 course, this is not necessary, but it will add much 

 humus to the soil which will increase the fertility 

 and aid in retaining moisture. If the land should 

 be covered -with grass or weeds, these should be 

 plowed down while green when they will add much 

 humus to the soil and the seed will not likely germ- 

 inate, but if permitted to die the growth is of little 

 value and the seed will make constant hoeing neces- 

 sary. The land selected should V)e plowed as early 

 as possible in the spring and disced or harrowed 

 thoroughly until a firm, even plant bed is obtained. 



Time To Plunl : Experience lias taught us 

 Early Spring is the very best time to plant. 

 When the plants are dormant they withstand 

 digging, shipping and tra'nsplanting better, 

 start growing quicker and are much more vig- 

 orous tlian wheii planted after the growth has 

 started. Early runner plants are more produc- 

 tive than those made in the summer or fall, 

 thus by early planting your patch will be more 

 productive. It costs no more to plaiit early 

 than late thus there is no reason why every- 

 one should not enjoy the beneficial results of 

 Early Planting. Light frosts, that do not 

 heave the ground will not damage the plants. 

 April is the proper time to set plants in the 

 Northern States, in the Central States March 

 and early April and in the Southern States 

 from November 1 until April 1. Be sure to have 

 your order in early so that the plants will be 

 at hand when your ground is ready. 



This is one of the great advantages we can offer 

 you. Our climate is such that we can furnish you 

 hardy, fresh dug plants promptly any time from 

 Oct. 15th to May 1st., w^hereas Northern plant grow- 

 ers are often unable to dig until your plants should 

 have been in the ground. Then too. our plants are 

 permitted to go through the winter unprotected 



and are therefore more hardy than plants grown 

 where conditions make mulching necessary. 



Care of Plants: Plants should be set as soon as 

 received. If for any reason you are unable to set 

 them for three or four days the plants should be 

 removed from the crate and the roots and moss 

 dampened, replaced in the crate and stored where 

 it is cool, preferably in a cellar. Should you expect 

 to hold the plants for a longer period it is better 

 to heal them in the ground. The roots should be 

 dampened, the bundles opened and the plants heel- 

 ed in a V-sliaped trench with the crow^ns even Avith 

 the ground, and the soil packed firmly around the 

 roots. If desirable they may be heeled in several 

 layers with a few inches of soil between each row. 

 By heeling the plants in a shady place and keeping 

 tlie soil moist they will keep in perfect condition 

 for tAvo or three Aveeks. Be sure to have the plants 

 Avell spread out so that the soil Avill come in con- 

 tact Avith all the roots. 



Planting: There are many methods of setting 

 plants and of course you should use the one best 

 suited to your needs. The main object is to haA-e 

 the roots straight doAvn and spread out fan shape 

 Aviththe crown even with the surface and the soil 

 packed firmlv about the roots. There are no ben- 

 eficial effects from clipping the roots but it is bet- 

 ter to clip off an inch or tAvo than to have the roots 

 doubled up. If a horse drawn transplanter is used 

 this practice Avill be a great aid in getting the 

 plants set properly. It is A-ery important to set the 

 plants at the proper depth, as any that are set too 



