THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 
7 
Picking Big Joe, One of the Best. 
Cultural Directions 
Strawberries will thrive in any type of soil that is not dry sand 
or water-logged clay. They will often give good crops in soils 
that have been given poor preparation. But, like other crops, 
they respond quickly to good cultivation. 
One of the first essentials in producing a good crop of berries 
is plenty of moisture. Springy land that is well drained is there¬ 
fore the best type of soil. But on other types water can be con¬ 
served by cultivation or by mulching, or in most cases there may 
be enough natural rainfall at fruiting time. Any good garden 
soil will produce good crops of strawberries. 
Preparing the Land. Potatoes, tomatoes, beans, cabbage, 
and other truck crops usually leave the ground in excellent con¬ 
dition for strawberries. This is because they are kept well cul¬ 
tivated for a good part of the season and are usually well manured 
and fertilized. 
In all cases, sod land should be avoided for strawberries, as 
the white grubs winter over in such land and cut off young plants 
when set the following spring. If you have no other land avail¬ 
able, plow the land during the fall and many of the grubs will be 
killed out during the winter. 
We belive the best preparation for strawberries under our con¬ 
ditions is as follows: Whatever the preceding crop, plow the 
land in fall or winter, spread broadcast with stable manure (8-15 
tons per acre). Disc this in. In the spring plow the land again 
if it has become hard. If it is still in good condition for planting 
run the rows (a three furrowed list leveled off by raking or drag¬ 
ging will put it in nice condition for planting). If in some cover 
crop like clover, rye, etc., we would apply the manure whenever 
available and plow under as early in the spring as possible. 
We strongly urge the use of the cover crop wherever possible. 
Time to Plant—Important. In the extreme South stock 
plants, free from nematode and rust, should be planted in Feb¬ 
ruary, March, or early April. In the middle States, March ond 
April are the best planting months. In the North— April. 
Plant in early spring, just as soon as you can get your ground in 
condition. This gives plants as long a growing season as possi¬ 
ble, and the plants are set and growing before hot, dry weather 
comes on. Be sure to have your plants on hand when you are 
ready for them. Have your plants shipped early (not later than 
April 15th to 20th—earlier if possible) and heel them in in some 
protected place and cover with straw until you can plant. 
Lost None out of 1,500. 
Delaware County, O., January 5, 1920. 
It is nearing the time to order strawberry plants, and I had such extra 
good luck with your plants last spring. Out of 1,500 I lost none, so I am ask¬ 
ing you to please send me a 1920 catalog so I may make out my order. Yours 
for success, I remain, 
F. T. Brocklesly. 
Arrived O. K.—Nice Plants. 
Meigs County, O., April 9. 1920. 
I enclose check for $23.60 for payment of the 2,700 plants received. They 
arrived all O. K., and are as nice plants as I ever recieved. 
J. T. LEDLrE. 
