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Everbearing berries are grown by exactly the 

 same metliod as regular varieties. However, so 

 much is expected of tlieni in so sliort a time 

 that special attention to the more important 

 points may be helpful. 



Start with good strong plants. 



Select good land an€l have it well prepared. 



Set plants early while both soil and plants 

 are in good condition; the soil cool mid moist, 

 the phmts not devitalized by a heavy growth 

 of leaves and blossoms. 



Start hoeing and cultivating soon after the plants start 

 putting out new growth. Make snre to uncover any buds thai 

 may have been covered by too deep setting or by rains washing 

 soil over them. 



Cut off the spring blossoms as soon as they appear. As the 



summer blossoms start coming cut them off at least once a 

 week until about the middle of July. This enables the plant 

 to build up strength for berry production later on when berries 

 are more saleable. 



The hill system is best. Removal of runners not only builds 

 up stronger individual plants, but increases blossom and fruit 

 production. Cut off all runners or let each plant set only 

 five or six runners and the summer and fall crop will be greater 

 and the berries larger. Of course they can be allowed to form 

 a wider spaced row with good results on favorable sites and 

 with a better chance for the spring crop. 



Planting distances. These may be varied to suit the con- 

 venience of the grower. In small gardens where all hand work 

 is intended, they may be set as close as 15 inches apart each 

 way. Rows 80 inches apart with 15 inches in the row will 

 allow for some horse cultivation. Tlie double hill row is 

 being favored by many larger growers. In this the total dis- 

 tance from center to center is about 8% feet with the plants 

 jn each double row about 15 inches apart each way. 



Mulching. Experiments indicate that summer mulching in- 

 creases total yield little or none. However, by helping keep 

 down weeds it reduces laboi* smd by keeping berries clean an<l 

 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 sht)uld be applied about June liOth to July 

 1st. by which time any new runner plants desired will have 

 stnrted. From two to three tons of wheat straw, marsh grass, 

 or other tine material should be used per acre. See page 27. 

 Also photo, page 21j. 



Manure and fertilizer. We are convinced that heavy feeding 

 is essential for big crops of everbearers. Stable manure broad- 

 cast heavily before plants are set and green crops plowed 

 under is very helpful. Several applications of commercial 

 fertilizers, mostly nitrogen and phosphorus (see page 26) ap- 

 I plied during the sununer may be used. 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 oft' at once. 



Ample moisture helps the plant growth, fruit production 

 and the etiiciency of fertilizer applied. Therefore, select springy land full of organic matter, 

 cultivate or mulch to conserve water and use irrigation if available. 



Cycles. All the Everbearers have cycles of fruiting. None of them bear every day from mid- 

 summer to freezing weather. In Maryland Gem stands the heat better and is far more productive 

 in August and early September. Mastodon and Wayzata are at their best a little later. Green 

 Mountain is latest of all to reach its best production. Commercial growers therefore may want 

 several varieties to have continuous bearing during late summer and fall. 



Yields. One pint per plant set is probably as good as the average. Much better yields are 

 often obtained by careful growers under good conditions. Yields as high as two quarts per 

 plant have been recorded. 



A rugged iVlastodon plant 



21 



