480 



GROWING STRAWBERRIES 



After the field is well established, it is not worth while to 

 attempt to remove the relatively few blossoms that appear. 



(6) Fertilizing the Plants. Stable manure, when it can be 

 secured at a reasonable price and when it does not contain 

 too many weed seeds, is a very valuable fertilizer. From 15 

 to 20 tons per acre should be applied, preferably to a preced- 

 ing cultivated crop. Where stable manure cannot be obtained 

 or where its use is questionable, green manure crops should 

 always be turned under before planting strawberries. Rye, 

 cowpeas, soy beans, and the clovers are good green manure 

 crops. The decaying organic matter of the stable manure and 

 green manure not only adds humus and plant food but also 

 improves the mechanical condition and moisture-holding 

 capacity of the soil. These last two factors are especially 

 important in strawberry growing. 



In addition to the stable or green manures, it has generally 

 been found profitable to add liberal amounts of commercial 

 fertilizers in most growing regions. 



Of the three fertilizer elements usually applied — nitrogen, 

 phosphorus, and potassium — the addition of phosphorus has 

 seemed to be needed in most regions more than the other ele- 

 ments. The need of additional nitrogen in some regions is 

 marked; in others no value can be seen from applying this 

 material, or, at least, its use in view of its cost and the cost 

 of application of the material is questionable. The value of 

 applying potash in many regions is very questionable. The 

 need for its application has not been as clearly shown as for 

 phosphorus and nitrogen, except on the lighter soils of the 

 South. 



During the first year, phosphoric acid and some nitrogen 

 seem especially desirable for causing good growth, numerous 

 plants, and strong healthy crowns. Potash in addition may be 

 of value in light, sandy soils. An application of a quickly 

 available nitrogen fertilizer, just before blossoming in the 

 crop year, appears to be profitable in increasing the set of 

 fruit and size of berries in light soils, but its use is question- 



