Strawberries BUNTINGS' NURSERIES, Inc. 
STRAWBERRIES 
S ROWING Strawberries is profitable. Past history of the industry in this country is 
convincing evidence. We are growers of good Strawberry plants, backed by forty 
years experience as commercial growers. Growing Strawberries in a commercial way 
for marketing purposes was our business for at least twenty years before entering the 
nursery business proper. Those in charge of this business now are the second and third 
generations of our family, the first generation being the first to grow Strawberries in this section 
of the country. During this period of time we have had much experience in Strawberry cul 
ture, and any information that we have is yours for the asking. Address your correspond¬ 
ence to the personal attention of our Mr. G. E. Bunting, a Senior Member of this firm. 
CULTURAL HINTS—TIME TO SET PLANTS. Each year we are surprised that so many people 
think you can postpone setting Strawberry plants during Spring months, expecting to make up lost time by 
setting them in the Summer or Early Fall; it cannot be done successfully. Early Spring is the ideal time 
to set Strawberry plants, the date depending upon your locality. The answer is just as soon as the weather 
permits preparing the ground. In the Southern States we recommend February and March; in the Central 
States, March and April; in the Northern States, April or as early in May as is possible. Be sure to allow 
enough time to receive plants when ready for them. You, when stopping to think the thing through, will 
realize it requires some time for your order to reach the nursery after it has been placed in the mails, and it’s 
true the nurseryman—while thoroughly organized to handle all business received by him promptly—has 
disappointments such as weather conditions, etc., which hold up digging and packing of plants. Generally 
speaking you are safe in judging that plants will be shipped in about two to three days after your order is 
received. Then, in addition to this, allow ample time for them to reach you. 
PREPARING SOIL AND APPLYING NECESSARY PLANT FOOD. Prepare soil same as for 
truck or garden crops by plowing deeply. After plowing, make the soil smooth by the use of some machinery 
that you have for that purpose, such as a drag, disk, etc. Lay out rows, usually 3 feet 6 inches to 3 feet 
10 inches apart; set plants about 15 inches apart in the row. Do not use commercial fertilizer at the roots. 
Ground animal bone is fine to use at the roots; however it should be thoroughly mixed with the soil in the 
bottom of the furrow before the row is made up. The spreading of good barnyard manure on the land 
before plowing is fine, and always profitable. Should your soil be very fertile, then we do not recommend 
using any type of fertilizer when planting;. Potash at the rate of ten pounds to a hundred yards of row, 
applied during the month of September will have its effect on the quality of the fruit the following season. 
It makes it firm and gives it a fine, waxy appearance, both of which are necessary for the fruit to command 
best prices in the market. We recommend applying the Potash as outlined above. We consider it one of 
the secrets of success in Strawberry culture. During very early Spring or we’II say from four to eight weeks 
before growth starts, a good grade of commercial fertilizer carrying an analysis of say 5 per cent Ammonia, 
6-8 per cent Phosphoric Acid and 3-5 per cent Potash, should be broadcast on the row of plants at the 
rate of fifteen pounds per hundred yards of space. 
CULTIVATION. Soon after plants are set in the Spring, cultivation should begin. Keep rows free of 
vegetation during the entire Summer months, and to do this successfully some hand work is necessary, also 
the use of a hoe at intervals during the entire growing season. The production of a field of Strawberry 
plants for fruiting purposes can be much less expensive if the location for planting is made by selecting a 
plot of soil which is free as possible from weed and grass seeds. Should you have a plot of land which you 
contemplate setting to Strawberries, you should keep the crop free from vegetation or as nearly so as pos¬ 
sible during the year previous. Or, if the land has been laying idle, plow late in the Summer before the weeds 
and grass develop seed to maturity, thus eliminating a crop of weeds and grass the next season, and at the 
same time you are making the soil more fertile by turning under a crop of green vegetation which is valu¬ 
able in adding humus to the soil. This cover crop, whether it be weeds, grass or otherwise, when turned under 
green helps to retain moisture during the growing season. A cover crop which has been allowed to grow to 
maturity and dry out is of little benefit. It is well to be remembered that Strawberry plants are not like 
trees. They are small and do not root deeply in the soil; moisture is essential. Therefore, select a soil springy 
in nature if possible, but be sure it is well drained. Heavy crops of Cow Peas, Soy Beans or any other crop 
including weeds, if plowed under in later Summer while green will fill the soil with humus which makes it 
loose and porous; therefore the more retentive of moisture. 
There is much that could be said about the culture of Strawberries. Different types of soil in different 
locations make it almost impossible to give any definite set of rules. Yet it’s very true the information we 
have given, if followed closely, should bring the best of results. 
SETTING PLANTS. Clip the roots if they can’t be planted without doubling; we do not recommend 
this otherwise. The size of the plants will govern whether or not they should be clipped some before planting. 
Some varieties naturally grow smaller than others, and they do not as a usual thing require clipping. Spades, 
trowels or dibbles are commonly used in setting plants. A horse-drawn planter is sometimes used in large 
commercial plantings. However to plant with such a machine, skill and experience is necessary to do the 
job properly. The plant should be set with the crown about even with the soil after it has been thoroughly 
firmed around the plant. 
PROFITS. There have been exceptions during the past three years. We claim a profit ranging from 
$100.00 to $300.00 per acre a fair profit. Yet it’s true in many instances the figures just referred to here are 
doubled when conditions are most favorable. We try to be conservative when making statements about 
yields and profits resulting from growing Strawberries, also the quality of our plants which we claim to be 
as good as any on the market. 
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