14 Rayner Brothers, Salisbury, Maryland 



Will Strawberries Pay Me? 



Only a small amount of money is needed to start with, returns coming 

 in earlier than from any other fruit crop and with little additional expense 

 a second crop almost equal to the first can be had. A fairly large income 

 can be had from a small patch and experience, though desirable, is not neces- 

 sary. 



Strawberry growing can be made a family business, and the large 

 profits help keep the children on the farm. Strawberries can be grown in 

 orchards, between row crops or in any fertile soil and the roadside market 

 gives a wonderful advantage to sell berries at good prices and there is 

 always a good demand from neighbors and friends. 



Culture of Strawberries 



Selecting and preparing land; Strawberries can be grown in almost any 

 soil or climate, in light sandy types or heavy clay, as far south as Florida 

 and as far north as Canada, but will produce much larger crops if planted in 

 a well drained soil, but soil that will retain a great deal of moisture, for it is 

 well to remember that one of the most essential requirements of strawberries 

 is plenty of moisture at fruiting time. 



We advise planting after some truck crop that has been well manured and 

 cultivated for the soil will be more fertile and there will be less weed seed, or 

 after some legume, if possible. We do not advise planting in old sod land 

 unless necessary as this type of land is likely to be infested with white grubs 

 which will cut off the young plants soon after they are set in the spring, but 

 if you have no other land available, plow it in the fall and harrow 

 during the winter and early spring as often as you can, in this way most of 

 the grubs will be killed out. 



After selecting a desirable field it should be plowed and thoroughly har- 

 rowed as early as possible in the spring. If stable manure is to be used we 

 advise spreading it broadcast on the land just after it has been plowed, then 

 the land either with or without manure, should be disced thoroughly and har- 

 rowed to level it up so that a firm, even plant bed is obtained. 



Time to Plant 



Strawberries should be planted in the EARLY spring as that is the natural, 

 most satisfactory and successful time. Just as soon as the weather permits 

 getting the land ready. In the Northern States April, in the Middle States 

 March and the early part of April, in the Southern States from November 

 till April first. 



EARLY PLANTING PAYS BIG, the plants start quicker, grow better 

 and make better beds than plants that are set late, and remember that it 

 costs no more to plant early than late so be sure to have your order in early 

 so that your plants will be right at hand when your ground is ready. 



Care of Plants 



If you are not ready to set the plants when they arrive, unpack, seperat- 

 ing each variety, open the bunches, dampen the roots up to the crown but 

 do not wet the leaves, they should then be heeled in a V shaped trench and 

 if shaded from the sun they will keep in first class condition for several 

 weeks if necessary. 



