Suggestions on Strawberry Culture 



Strawberries are one of the easiest of the fruits to grow and we know of but one secret 

 method which will assure success. It is simply good land, good cultivation, good plants and 

 good sense. We give below general cultural directions and should you desire additional infor- 

 mation we shall be glad to have you write us. 



ADAPTABILITY— With the adaptability of cer- 

 tain varieties for certain soil and climatic condi- 

 tions strawberries can be grown in practically 

 every section of the country. 



SOII. — Select good soil, well supplied with humus 

 and well drained. Strawberries require an im- 

 mense quantity of water at fruiting time thus soil 

 that is retentive of moisture will produce largest 

 yields yet are not tolerant to flooding thus good 

 drainage is also important. Land that has had 

 thorough cultivation previously is best. Sod land 

 should be avoided if possible as it may be infested 

 with white grub. 



PREPARING THE LAND— When plans can be 

 made ahead, it is well to plow down a cover crop 

 preceding planting strawberries, this will increase 

 fertility, improve physical condition and also aid 

 in retaining moisture. Plowing down weeds in the 

 fall while green is also a good practice, adding 

 humus and also preventing the maturing of the 

 seed. The land should be plowed as early in the 

 spring as possible and harrowed and dragged until 

 a firm, even plant bed is formed. Rows then 

 marked out three and a half to four feet apart. 

 A horse draAvn marker is best with a large plant- 

 ing. With a small planting a line or hoe are 

 satisfactory. 



TIME TO PLANT- Early spring is the best 

 time to set strawberry plants, light frosts that do 

 not heave the soil will not injure the plants. We 

 cannot stress too greatly the importance of early 

 planting. The plants are then fully dormant and 

 the weather is most favorable to their becoming 

 established. 



Early planting is the most important single 

 factor in successful strawberry culture. April 

 in the North; March and April in the Central 

 States; and November 1 to April in the South. 



CARE OF PLANTS— Before setting the roots 

 should be soaked in water for several hours so 

 that they may absorb all the water possible, this 

 will aid in carrying the plant until feeder roots 

 can be sent out. Keep plants protected from wind 

 and sun ; and moist at all times. If plants cannot 

 be set soon after arrival they should be removed 

 from the crate, the packing material and roots 

 moistened and repacked loosely. Stored in a cool 

 damp place they will keep in good condition three 

 or four days. If plants must be kept longer the 

 bundles should be opened and the plants heeled 

 in a V shape trench. A few cautions, spread the 

 plants thinly so the soil contacts all roots, pack 

 the soil firmly back in the trench up even with the 

 crowns, keep ^shaded, and water thoroughly, espec- 

 ially if the weather is warm. 



PLANTING — There are many good tools for set- 

 ting strawberry plants, the trowel, dibble, spade 

 and (for large plantings) the horse or tractor 

 drawn transplanters are all satisfactory. The im- 

 portant points are to have the roots straight down 

 with the soil packed firmly for their entire length 

 and the crown even with the surface. Proper depth 

 is very important, see illustration. Roots may be 

 clipped if too long to get in straight. 



DISTANCE TO PLANT— Plants should be set 15 

 to 30 inches apart (distance should vary according 

 to the bedding habit of the variety, Chesapeake 

 and other sparce bedders the minimum. Blakemore 

 and similiar sorts the maximum) in rows S 1 /^ to 4 

 or even 4-V& feet apart. 



PLANTS REQUIRED PER ACRE — To set 15 



inches apart in rows 3V 2 ft. apart an acre will re- 

 quire about 10,000 plants ; for 36 in. apart in row 4 

 feet apart will require about 3,800 plants. The most 

 popular planting is from 7,000 to 8.000 plants per 

 acre. 



CULTIVATION — Plants should be kept thor- 

 oughly cultivated all through the growing season. 



Cultivating at weekly intervals until bed forms will 

 greatly reduce the amount of hand hoeing required 

 to keep -down weeds. Plants should be hoed soon 

 after set and any plants too deep or too shallow 

 should be corrected. Hoe and cultivate shallow 

 near the plants to avoid disturbing the roots. In 

 later hoeing after the plant bed is formed attention 

 should be given that the plants do not become too 

 densely set in row, especially with varieties such 

 as Blakemore, Dorsett and Fairmore. The well 

 spaced row will produce more and better fruit. 



REMOVING BLOSSOMS— Flower stems usually 

 appear on strawberry plants soon after they are 

 set in the field and as the production of fruit is a 

 severe drain on their vitality, the flower stems 

 should be removed as they appear. With the Ever- 

 bearers the blossoms should be removed until the 

 plants are well established ; this will usually re- 

 quire about sixty days. 



FERTILIZER & MANURE— Well rotted stable 

 manure, compost or similar materials are very good 

 for strawberries, this may be applied just before 

 soil is prepared or if used on preceding crop re- 

 sults are practically as good. Commercial fertili- 

 zers give good results and are used by practically 

 all the larger growers. Care must be taken in 

 applying, to avoid injury when applied before 

 planting, work in thoroughly and wait at least a 

 week before setting. In top dressing apply evenly 

 and brush off any that may be on leaves. Do not 

 apply more than 700 lbs. per acre per application. 

 Mixtures containing Nitrate of Soda, Sulphate of 

 Ammonia or potash salts, must be applied very 

 carefully as these materials will injure plants and 



Planting: At Proper Depth Very Important 



