470 



GROWING STRAWBERRIES 



tions, the strawberry plant being shallow-rooted with none 

 too firm a hold on the soil. 



Under conditions where the market justifies the expense, 

 dry soils made rich in organic content may be utilized through 

 the installation of artificial irrigation. IMore than most fruits, 

 the strawberry reflects insufficient moisture supply at the 

 ripening stage in small individual fruits and reduced total 

 yield. 



The strawberry blooms early. In sections where spring 

 frosts are a factor, guard against loss by planting on areas 

 insuring air drainage. Avoid wind-swept areas in the colder 

 latitudes so that the plants may be protected in winter by a 

 mantle of snow. 



2. Preparing the Field. Begin preparations at least one 

 year in advance. A cultivated crop is usually best to pre- 

 cede planting. It is important that this crop shall be kept 

 clean so that the land may be free of weeds and grass before 

 the strawberries are set. Land in sod harbors the white grub 

 or larva of the May beetle, often seriously destructive. If 

 grubs are present in large numbers, cultivated crops should 

 be grown for two years before setting. Freshly cleared stump 

 land often gives good results, if free from roots and sprouts. 

 In the South, select land free from the root knot nematode or 

 practice a three-year rotation of crops that are not subject to 

 its attacks. 



]\Iake the soil rich. Stable manure is unexcelled for this 

 purpose, but unless well rotted it should be applied to the 

 preceding crop so that w^eeds may be killed. In many sec- 

 tions it is practically impossible to secure manure. In other 

 sections where it can be secured, the quality is often very 

 poor and it is sometimes full of weed seeds. In such regions 

 growers have practically discontinued its use and plan to 

 plow under green manure crops instead. Bring the land to a 

 high state of tilth before planting. 



3. Selecting Varieties. Plant varieties with a record of 

 Kuccess in the region. Try others, no matter how well adver- 



