PROFIT IN STRAWBERRIES. 



329 



the ground is fit. In taking up plants for setting, 

 the best are obtained by taking up the row clean, as 

 the plants in the center of the rows have larger roots 

 than those growing on the outer edge, the latter be- 

 ing the last settings of the summer. In selecting 

 the plants, it is economy to choose only those that 

 have a thrifty root. Remove all old runners and all 

 leaves except about three, being careful not to dis- 

 turb the crown. Should the plants be far enough 

 advanced to show flower-buds, remove the buds ; or 



raise larger crops with less expense by its use. Ber- 

 ries generally need five hoeings during the season. 

 If the first application of fertilizer seems insuffi- 

 cient, after the first or second hoeing give another 

 application. I have usually found it necessary to 

 do so, as I use nothing else. 



Many fine growths of vines are raised in this way 

 only to be destroyed from lack of protection during 

 the severe winter. I have found straw to be the 

 best covering. It should be removed in the spring 



remove them when they do appear, as, by bearing, 

 the plant will be deprived of strength which is needed 

 for its growth. 



We set in rows about four feet apart and plants 

 one foot apart. The method of setting is by line, 

 using a common bricklayer's trowel. Some men in 

 our vicmity have set as many as 8,000 plants in a day, 

 but from 4,000 to 6,000 is considered a good day's 

 work. In a week or ten days after the plants are 

 set they should be cultivated and hoed, and then 

 given an application of commercial fertilizer of from 

 two to three hundred pounds per acre, scattered 

 around the plants. It is generally conceded that 

 commercial fertilizer is better than manure for grow- 

 ing berries, as the ground is kept more free from 

 weeds ; and, having made the test, I find that I can 



as soon as the frost is out of the ground and an- 

 other application of about 800 pounds of fertilizer 

 per acre given, sown on the rows, being careful not 

 to apply it when the vines are wet as some kinds 

 will burn the plant. The crop will be ready for 

 marketing about the 20th of June. One great trouble 

 with strawberry growing is that people expect too 

 much from too little labor and expense. 



I raised 'last year from an acre and a half 334 

 crates, which sold for $1,033.28 in Oswego, which 

 is about 8 f cents per quart. The expense for rais- 

 ing said crop was : for plants, $12.00 ; for taking 

 up, trimming and setting plants, S15.00 ; for hoeing. 

 $40.00; for 1,800 pounds fertilizer, $31.50; for 

 straw and putting it on, $25.00 ; for picking, $240.48 ; 

 for overseeing pickers, carrying and crating, $35.00 ; 



