4 
HOLDRIDGE’S BOOK OP BERRIES—1936 
SETTING OUT PLANTS 
A good distance in setting out plants in rows is from 3 V 2 
to 4 feet between the rows and from 18 to> 2 0 inches in the 
row. This gives the narrow matted row which is the best 
kind of a row unless you grow them in the hill system, when 
plants are set from 12 to 14 inches in the row and from 3 to 
3 V 2 feet between the rows. Most any soil that will grow garden 
truck, with the exception of greensward, is a good place to plant 
strawberries. We like Pall plowing oest, if it is possible to do 
the work at this time. Fall plowed land throws up grubs and 
insects which freeze out during the winter. If the ground 
cannot be plowed in the Pall, plow as early in the Spring as 
possible. Be sure and get the ground into as fine a condition 
as possible before setting. A good top dressing of barnyard 
manure broadcasted on the ground after it is plowed in the 
Pall is an excellent dressing. Chicken manure or commercial 
fertilizer, a 5-8-7 preferred, is a good dressing after the Spring 
plowing. A handful of ground bone is an excellent fertilizer to 
put around each plant after setting. A top dressing of fertilizer 
spread broadcast upon the row, in the month of September, 
when the plants are dry, and then brushed off is recommended. 
We do not recommend the use of commercial fertilizer to be 
put on the plants the Spring they are to fruit. Cultivate and 
hoe shallow often during the growing season and success will 
come your way. As to mulching for winter protection any good 
straw material will do. Cover about one inch thick and pull 
between the rows in. the Spring. This will protect the fruit 
from sand and help retain moisture and keep the weeds down. 
Be sure and do not put any fertilizer around the plants when 
setting. A week or so later you may put on your ground bone, 
chicken dresing or good fertilizer. 
PLEASURE AND PROFIT IN BERRIES 
There is no crop on the farm that you can raise as profit¬ 
ably as strawberries. You cannot set them in the ground and 
take no care of them; you must work to keep them clean. But 
if you do you will not find any other fruit or vegetable as profit¬ 
able as strawberries. 
In every garden there should be a row of strawberries. 
The amount depends upon the size of the family and the size 
of the garden. Whether you grow the garden for the home 
or the store, have a strawberry patch. The location of the 
berry patch is one of the factors in its success. It is best to 
have the strawberry patch in a sunny exposure and away from 
trees. There are many good varieties at the present time. 
Study the catalogues that you receive and pick out those that 
fit into your idea as to what is best. Any variety, to exist under 
the present competitive conditions, has some merit and adver¬ 
tisers don’t spend money advertising worthless varieties, for 
since they do advertise they are trying to build up a good and 
steady business. 
