2 J. T. LOVETT, LITTLE SILVER, N. J. 



Pot Grown Strawberry Plants 



All varieties of the Strawberry give the greatest yield and the largest berries when grown in rich soil ; 

 hence no pains should be spared in preparing the bed carefully before planting, by digging or ploughing 

 deeply and turning under a liberal coating of well-rotted manure. Harrow or rake down finely, and if a 

 top-dressing of ground bone can be applied it will be found a great benefit at fruiting time. Select a lo- 

 cation where the soil is moist and deep if possible — moist and yet where water does not stand near or 

 upon the surface. In such a soil well enriched, the Strawberry delights and gives marvelous results. It will, 

 however, succeed upon any soil if well manured. Strawberries do not succeed when planted in shaded 

 locations; hence in selecting a plot for them be careful and avoid places that are shaded by trees. For 

 hill culture in the family garden, set plants in rows two feet apart and the plants fifteen inches apart in 

 the rows ; or if to be worked by horse and cultivator, make the rows three feet apart and the plants one 

 foot apart in the row. In either case cut off the runners as they appear. If to be grown in matted rows, 

 plant in rows three and one half or four feet apart and the plants a foot apart in the rows, permitting the 

 runners to grow at will. 



The after culture consists in keeping the soil mellow and free from weeds by frequent hoeing or 

 cultivation. At the approach of winter (as soon as the ground is frozen sufficiently to support the weight 

 of a horse and cart,) cover the entire bed with salt-meadow hay or other loose material. Light strawy 

 manure is excellent for this purpose, as the soluble portion leaches into the soil and affords nourishment 

 to the plants while the fibrous portion remains upon the surface as a mulch. Evergreen branches are very 

 useful for securing the covering in place and are of themselves a protection. When the plants start in 

 spring, rake the mulch from off the plants sufficiently to permit them to push through it, and leave it on 

 the surface about the plants to protect the fruit and keep it clean and also to keep the soil moist and 

 cool. An application of unleached wood ashes or Muriate of Potash along the rows very early in the 

 spring, just before a rainfall, will be found to increase the size, beauty and flavor of the berries. 



Selection of Varieties 



The Blossoms of all Strawberries in cultivation are either hermaphrodite (perfect) or pistillate (im- 

 perfect), and the varieties named in this pamphlet are perfect except those marked with the letter P which 

 are pistillate. The flowers of these differ from the hermaphrodite or perfect varieties in being destitute 

 of stamens, or nearly so, and are unable, therefore, to properly fructify themselves. It is consequently es- 

 sential, when a pistillate variety is grown, that a perfect flowered variety be planted near it in order to 



properly pollenize its blossoms; in the proportion of one 

 row of perfect flowered plants to about every four or five 

 rows of pistillate ones. When thus properly fertilized the pis- 

 tillate varieties are often the most productive, and there is 

 really no good reason for the prejudice with which some 

 growers regard them. If but one variety be grown, however, 

 it should of course, be a perfect flowered sort and not a 

 pistillate one. It is best always to plant at least three varieties 

 — early, medium and late — to expand the season of fruiting 

 to its full limits. 



Pot Grown Strawberries 



have the great advantage over ordinary or " layer " plants of 

 producing a crop of the largest and finest berries the first 

 season after planting. Further than this, they may be safely 

 transplanted in the hottest and dryest weather, without serious 

 check to growth and they can be planted where early potatoes, 

 peas, or other early crop have been harvested. True, the first 

 cost of them is somewhat greater than when layer plants are 

 Pot Grown Strawberry Plant. employed, but their advantages are so great and many, there 



can be no comparison in value between them for summer 

 planting. In fact, for summer and fall setting, pot grown plants are indispensable if a crop of berries is 

 desired the following June. In setting them out, dip the balls of earth in water to thoroughly moisten 

 them, and make the soil very firm about each plant. 



