Strawberry Plants of Quality 3 
Strawberry Culture 
Soil—Strawberries will grow on most all kinds of soil if springy and 
moist, but where water does not stand. Any kind of land that will make 
good crops of corn or potatoes will make a good crop of berries. As the straw- 
berry crop is of more value than the ordinary farm crop, more care should 
be taken that the soil is in proper condition and supplied with the proper 
plant food. Strawberries should follow some truck crop that has been 
heavily manured if possible, or after cow peas; if neither of these are avail- 
able, rye can be sown in the early fall and plowed under in the early spring; 
this will supply humus, as strawberries need a soil full of humus; it helps 
hold the moisture and supplies plant food. Strawberries should not be 
planted on an old sod, as it is likely to be infested with grubs; such land 
should at least receive one cultivated crop before planting to strawberries. 
Care of Plants When Received—If for any reason you are not quite 
ready to set plants when received always unpack plants, carefully separat- 
ing each variety and untie bundles and heal in V-shaped trenches; dampen 
the roots, but not the tops; firm soil around them with foot and shade from 
sun. Plants can be kept a month in this way. For northern customers I 
recommend this method and advise ordering plants shipped early in April, 
when they are dormant and will stand handling safely; also will be there 
ready to set at the most favorable time. 
Planting—In the northern states strawberries should be planted as early 
in the spring as the ground can be worked; in the South plants may be set 
any time from November 1 to April 1. When setting plants care should 
be taken not to let the plants be exposed to the wind and sun. The roots 
should be kept damp and set in moist soil and the soil should be firmly 
pressed around the plant so it will not dry out and not set the plants 
too deep so that the buds will be covered nor too shallow so any part of 
the roots will show. The rows should be about 3% to 4 feet apart for 
the matted row system and the plants set 13 to 20 inches apart in the row, 
according to variety. Prolific plant-makers like Missionary, Blakemore and 
Dunlap can be set farther apart than varieties that make larger but fewer 
plants like Chesapeake, Lupton and Mastodon. After the beds are 10 to 12 
inches wide, or as wide as wanted, the runners should be kept cut off. 
Fertilizing—To get plants started early a light application of fertilizer, 
if barnyard manure is not available which is best spread and harrowed in, 
should be made before planting, but I desire to warn my customers against the 
too-heavy application of commercial fertilizer to young strawberry plants. 
Many plants have been injured and often killed outright, but 300 or 400 
pounds will not hurt them, provided it does not contain any potash and is 
well scattered and mixed with the soil before planting or put in two weeks 
earlier. An application of 5-8-5 or 7-6-5 in late fall or early spring will 
make a heavier, better crop of fruit. 
Cultivation—Cultivation should begin as soon as possible after plants 
are set and should be continue once a week or ten days if land is in suitable 
condition through the summer and early fall to keep clean and help retain 
moisture. Hoe as often as necessary to kept down weeds, but shallow, so 
as not to disturb the roots. 
__ Removing the Blossoms—This is very important if you wish success 
with your plants, for if the plants are allowed to produce fruit they are 
greatly weakened, using the greater part of their vitality, therefore, all 
blossoms should be removed. On everbearing varieties all blossoms should 
be removed until about the middle of July, or until they get well started, 
when they can be allowed to fruit. 
} Clearfield Co., Pa., April 28th, 1932. 
Dear Sir: _The Premier and Aberdeen plants arrived in fine shape on the 
16th. Believe almost every plant will grow. Thanking you for the card 
notifying when you had shipped the plants, I remain, 
R. Wesley Hoover. 
