^ Stkawberkies ^HovTo Cyow Them ^ 
CHICKENS AND STRAWBERRIES ON THE FARM OF GEORGE HAZLETT, DAYTON, IND. 
jVyj R. HAZLETT writes: "Have had splendid success and realized wonderful results from the plants bought in 
past years from the Kellogg farms, and I want 2,000 more of them." 
stance the single item of chicken droppings. 
How often are these most valuable products of 
the poultry farm absolutely lost, whereas if used 
in the production of strawberries they would 
represent a considerable income from that source 
alone. 
When chicken droppings are handled in just 
the right way they make one of the richest of 
fertilizers for strawberries. The economical way 
to hold all of the manurial value of the drop- 
pings is to sprinkle land plaster or dust under the 
roosting places. Either of these will preserve 
the nitrogen, which would escape were it not 
retained by such an absorbent, as fermentation 
of the manure is checked by the presence of dust 
or of land plaster. The droppings mixed with 
dust or land plaster should be gathered up and 
put in barrels or boxes in a dry shed until ap- 
plied to the soil. 
The way in which this fertilizer should be 
applied to strawberries in order to secure best 
results, IS to keep it stored until the plants are 
set and have started growing. Thoroughly mix 
the droppings and dust until all lumps are finely 
crumbled ; the mixing may be done with hoes. 
Then scatter very thinly along each side of the 
rows of plants and follow up with a cultivator, 
so as to incorporate it with the top soil. By ap- 
plying it in this manner you avoid all danger 
of burning the roots of the plants. Another ad- 
vantage in having the fertilizer on top of the 
soil is that the rains will leach the valuable parts 
down into the soil in about the right proportions 
to keep the plants in a steady and vigorous 
growth throughout the entire season. 
The berries ripen at a season of the year 
when there is little revenue coming from the 
chickens. While the income is increased there is 
no interference with the work of the poultry end 
of the combination and the poultryman's time is 
employed to such profit as largely to increase 
his bank account. 
Chickens are great lovers of all kinds of in- 
sects and worms, and at certain seasons may be 
trusted to feed among the plants. After the 
plants get to growing nicely just allow a few 
old biddies and their little chicks to follow the 
cultivator; they will prove to be the busiest 
laborers on the place, and they will do no harm 
to your plants. 
Thus it will be seen that chickens are of 
great advantage to the strawberry grower, while 
strawberries are a source of great profit to the 
poultryman. 
Let us say in passing, however, that chickens 
should not be permitted in the strawberry bed 
after they are mulched, nor while the runners 
are taking root. 
Bees and Strawberries 
A NOTHER valuable line of work and one 
that dovetails in with strawberry-growing 
perfectly is the production of honey. In fact, 
these three things — strawberries, chickens and 
bees — make the grand trio for the man who 
seeks an independent business and whose capital 
is limited and land area small. It is perfectly 
marvelous what may be done on a few acres of 
ground when put to such uses as here suggested. 
Therefore, considered purely from the revenue 
side, the bee business is one that ought to be 
n-ost attractive as complementary to the straw- 
