FLANSBURGH & PEIRSON CO.’S CATALOGUE 
7 
Northern Grown Plants. 
A strawberry plant is never in so prime a condition as when fully grown, 
matured, and dormant. Our friends in the South have recognized that our 
northern-grown plants are safer to set, because of their more dormant condi¬ 
tion on arrival, while commercial growers in the north and west would not 
think of setting southern stock of a more advanced growth. We also hold that, 
while the strawberry will grow and thrive nearly everywhere, the north is its 
natural home, where it fits the conditions more naturally for a higher develop¬ 
ment. 
Summer and Fall Plants. 
We are always anxious to accommodate our customers every where who wish 
to test new varieties a year sooner, or who have neglected to order for the home 
garden at the proper season, or, in the case of market-gardeners, who have 
crops coming off their ground which they wish to set to strawberries as a matter 
of economy and rotation. To such we say. write us at the earliest possible mo¬ 
ment just what is wanted, and we will quote you prices, and layer the stock 
while awaiting your reply. 
The only best time to set strawberries is in spring, and we do not issue a 
summer list, but they may be set at any time that plants are big enough if 
there is plenty of rain or proper care is given. As a rule we cannot afford to 
dig our plants before September 15, at less than one-half more than our printed 
rate per 100. since for every one well rooted, we destroy several that would be 
good ones later. After September 15 the rate per hundred will apply for any¬ 
thing in stock, and later still when plants are nearly all well rooted we can make 
lower rates than the above. The rate per dozen will apply at any time as soon 
as any plants are big enough to dig. 
These rates are subject to changes, according to the variety and the growing 
season, and if more than dozens or hundreds are wanted write for prices on the 
list desired. 
For the Beginner. 
The nature of the soil, to grow this fruit, is not so urgently important as 
many supposed. A good sandy or clay loam that has been worked with applica¬ 
tions of manure in cultivated crops, or a loose clover sod. if in good heart and 
free from grubs, is reckoned best. But strawberries are grown with profit on 
all kinds of soil, including muck. There is nothing that responds more quickly 
to every advantage given, or that will go so far beyond the ordinary with ex¬ 
traordinary culture. But special soils require’ special treatment. If your soil 
is thin or leachy. the more manure it will require to build it up. Ashes and 
commercial fertilizer may also be applied as a top dressing, and harrowed in; 
and there is greater need of extra-shallow cultivation in the growing season; 
with a thorough fining of the surface soil among the plants, forming a dust or 
dirt mulch to prevent the escape of moisture, and a further mulch of straw, 
marsh hay. leaves, straw manure or shredded corn stalks in winter and the 
fruiting season. Muck soil requires heavy mulching in the winter to prevent 
heaving, and also to retard the blossoming beyond the greatest danger from late 
frosts as well as to retain the moisture and keep the berries clean. 
These are about tv\-o extremes of soil, and both are often used by commercial 
growers. For instance, if it is desired to lengthen the fruiting season to the 
utmost limit we would grow our earliest varieties on sunny exposure, sloping 
to the east and South, on quick, warm soil, removing the mulch early in the 
spring to let them get a start, and replacing it only just before fruiting; while 
we would set our latest sorts on level ground, or sloping to the west and north, 
mulching heavily in winter, letting it remain directly in the plants in spring as 
long as possible with safety, then raking off and tramping down between the 
rows only . ust enough to alloy the plants to grow up through that 
which remained, thus retarding the first natural growth of vine . and 
blossoming and fruiting season. It is risky to attempt to force 
the season backward beyond a certain limit., for there is always some, 
growth underneath the mulch as soon as the frost is out of the ground in the 
spring; and if the mulch remains too long this growth will have become bleached 
and tender, and liable to be injured by the hot sun or a sudden freeze, before 
it can M*t {-r- < n and tough again. But with watchfulness and care they may 
T7£E EATON RASPBERRY—SEE PAGE 24. 
