How Plants Are Held Perfectly Dormant By Controlled Storage 
Strawberry plants dug in winter and stored at controlled temperatures often show better results 
than freshly dug plants. 
experiments on our farms on proper storage temperatures and practices. 
The United States Department of Agriculture has conducted extensive 
These experiments prov- 
ed that plants dug while still fully dormant (before April 10) and stored at the correct temperature 
would be more vigorous than freshly dug plants, especially when set later than April 15th. 
For our own plantings we are now using controlled storage plants that are dug during the 
winter. 
These plants can be kept dormant as long as desired. When weather has held up planting 
until late spring plants held dormant by controlled storage have given us as good results as fresh 
dug plants set in March. 
We know from our experience that plants set in late April or May will do much better if dug 
while fully dormant and properly stored, instead of freshly dug plants that have begun to make 
spring growth. 
If you have a commercial storage plant near you that provides storage at 32 de- 
grees, we recommend you order your plants early and store them so you can have them whenever 
We recommend storage plants without reservations. 
desired. 
Fertilizer and Manure—Barnyard manure may be 
applied in fall, winter or very early spring at the 
rate of about 10 tons or more per acre. It may be 
applied after plowing on light soils and then 
disced in, or before plowing on heavy soils. If 
strawberries are grown on land following crops 
that have been fertilized, it is not usually neces- 
sary to apply any manure or fertilizer. If plants 
are making a strong, vigorous growth and have 
dark-green foliage throughout the summer this 
indicates the supply is adequate and no additional 
supply is needed. 
Complete commercial fertilizers (approximately 
5-10-5 or 5-10-10 mixture) give good results and are 
used by many commercial growers. To aid plants 
in getting a vigorous start fertilizer may be applied 
broadeast and thoroughly worked in the soil a 
week ahead of setting plants, or may be applied 
as a top dressing at the first cultivation after 
plants are set. Apply evenly and brush off any 
that may be on the leaves. Six pounds per 100 
feet of row or 700 pounds per acre is ample. 
Chicken manure mixed two parts to one part 
16% superphosphate makes a satisfactory material. 
Chicken manure should be applied evenly while 
foliage is dry. Barnyard manure includes horse, 
cow, hog and sheep manure, to be used as indicated 
in first paragraph. WHERE FALL FERTILIZING 
IS INDICATED on moderately fertile soils where 
growth of plants is not very vigorous, 5 to 7 
pounds of fertilizer per 100 feet of row or 600 to 
800 pounds per acre will give good results when 
applied in late August or September. 
Spraying and Dusting—Strawberries are seldom 
subject to any serious damage from disease or 
insects. Healthy plants of varieties immune or 
resistant to disease are your best assurance. Should 
your plants develop insect trouble, write and de- 
seribe the condition and we will be glad to advise 
you. It is also a good bet to call on your County 
Agent because of his familiarity with local prob- 
lems. If you do not know him, we will supply his 
name and address. 
Summer and Early Fall Planting Not Advisable 
—Strawberry plants should not be dug and shipped 
during the growing season. Satisfactory results 
can be obtained only from dormant plants dug 
and shipped in November. In the interest of our 
customers we do not ship plants during July, 
August, September and October. 
USE RAYNERS SPECIAL 
CUSTOMER SERVICE 
In addition to planting instructions included 
with each order, special bulletins are available 
on pruning, plant care after fruiting, spraying, 
trellising and other subjects. 
THIS INFORMATION IS ALWAYS AVAIL- 
ABLE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. 
Mating Varieties—All the varieties we offer are 
perfect flowering and will produce a full crop when 
planted alone. Varieties will not mix. 
Winter Mulching—Mulching is a good practice 
because it guards against winter injury to roots 
and crowns and prevents plants from heaving out 
of the ground by alternate freezing and thawing. 
Ordinarily as soon as temperatures of 25 degrees 
or lower have occurred, mulch should be applied 
to cover beds at least 2 inches deep. Straw, marsh 
hay, pine needles and similar materials are satis- 
factory. Where growth is not too vigorous, strawy 
stable manure is recommended. As soon as growth 
starts in Spring the surplus mulch should be raked 
into the alleys. A light covering may be left for 
the plants to grow through. Mulching helps keep 
down weeds, keeps berries clean and conserves 
moisture, and for that reason is often practiced 
where winter injury is not a hazard. 
Plants Required Per Acre 
Plants required per acre at various planting 
distances: 
Rows Distance in Row Plants per Acre 
3% feet apart 15 inches 10,000 
3% feet apart 18 inches 8,325 
3% feet apart 24 inches 6,225 
314 feet apart 30 inches 5,000 
feet apart 15 inches 8,750 
+ feet apart 18 inches 7,300 
4 feet apart 24 inches 5,425 
4 feet apart 30 inches 4,375 
3 POINTS 
TO REMEMBER 
FIRST—Plant EARLY in the Spring, just as 
soon as weather conditions permit preparing the 
soil. Plants set while fully dormant start far 
better and moisture supply and temperatures are 
most favorable in the Spring. 
SECOND—Renew a part of your plantings each 
year. A planting is usually considered good for 
two or three years fruiting, with proper cultivation 
and favorable weather. However, the first year’s 
fruiting is the best and in successive years the 
plants tend to blossom earlier and are more SuS- 
ceptible to frost damage and the size of fruit 
begins to run down. By renewing a part of your 
plantings each year you are assured of a more 
constant supply of finest quality berries. 
THIRD—Set good plants. Quality and vitality of 
plants will iargely influence growth and produc- 
tion. RAYNER’S vigorous, healthy plants assure 
high yields and best returns. 
YOU CAN RELY ON RAYNER BROTHERS 
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