get very thick and crowded. If a matted row sys- 
tem is used it is recommended that each plant set 
be allowed to make only a few runner plants, say 
from three to six new runners per plant. These can 
be spaced from eight to twelve inches apart and will 
produce very satisfactory results. 
6. Planting distances. In small gardens where 
not much good ground is available, plants should 
be set in the hill system. Even where larger acreages 
are grown many growers are finding the hill system 
best. In this system plants are set in rows 2 ft. 
apart with the plants twelve to fifteen inches apart 
in the row. If a hedge-row or narrow matted row 
is to be used, the rows can be about 3 ft. apart. A 
slightly wider distance is used where a full, wide 
matted row is to be formed. Any distance is satis- 
factory if plants are kept well spaced. 
7. The spring crop and second fall crop. 
Some Everbearing varieties make a much better 
spring bearer than others. Mastodon is one of the 
best. Champion is one of the poorest in this re- 
spect. The second fall crop will be better if plants 
are not allowed to produce the regular spring crop, 
but we do not believe it would be economical to 
remove the spring blossoms. It would be better to 
fertilize heavily and irrigate if possible to produce 
both crops and to make additional plantings for 
more fall berries. 
8. Mulching. Experiments indicate that sum- 
mer mulching increases total yield little or none. 
However, by helping keep down weeds it reduces 
labor and by keeping berries clean and bright it 
increases the value of the fall crop. Mulching can 
be used much more effectively if grown in hills or 
in very thin rows. When used it should be applied 
about June 20th-July 1st, by which time most of 
the new runner plants, if any, will be started. From 
two or three tons of wheat straw, marsh grass, or 
other fine material should be used per acre. Mulch- 
ing for the spring crop has the same benefits as for 
regular spring varieties. See page 12. 
9. Fertilizer practices for Everbearing varieties 
are similar to those for standard kinds, but as so 
much more is expected in a shorter time heavier 
and more frequent applications should be used. 
Fertilizer as recommended on page 10 should be 
used at planting time. Ground that is naturally 
fertile and has had a heavy application of barnyard 
manure or green manure cover crops plowed in, as 
well as additional applications of tankage or nitrate 
of soda made at intervals of about one month will 
help greatly to produce fall berries. Great care 
must be taken to see that fertilizer is applied when 
the foliage is thoroughly dry, and that any which 
lodges on the leaves is brushed off at once. 
10. Ample moisture increases size and yield of 
Everbearing strawberries. It also increases the 
efficiency of fertilizer applied. It is important, 
therefore, to select land naturally springy or well 
filled with organic matter. Many good crops are 
produced without irrigation, but experience indi- 
cates that irrigation would increase both the yield 
and quality of berries even in years of normal rain- 
fall. Any method of getting the water applied 
would be satisfactory. 
11. Yields of two or three quarts per plant are 
sometimes made but they are unusual. A yield of 
one quart per plant set is quite common but far 
above the average which is probably not over one 
half quart per each plant set. These yields refer 
to the crop produced the first summer and fall after 
the plants are set in the spring. 
