4 
M. S. PRYOR, SALISBURY, MD. 
STRAWBERRY CULTURE—(Continued) 
Mulching—Mulching is the best way to protect the plants from freezing and thawing 
in winter, to preserve moisture during a dry season and to keep the berries from getting 
sandy during a rain. Wheat straw is considered the best material, but rye straw, marsh 
grass, coarse manure (if not lumpy) or similar material may be used. Apply this in the 
fall and when growth starts in the spring rake off the beds into the middles between the 
rows where it serves the purpose of retarding the growth of weeds and also makes pick¬ 
ing easier. 
Cultivation—Cultivation should begin as soon as possible after plants are set and 
should continue once a week or ten days, if land is in suitable condition, through the sum¬ 
mer and early fall to keep free from weeds and help retain moisture. Hoe as often as 
necessary to keep down weeds, but shallow, so as not to disturb the roots. When hoeing 
the first time be sure to uncover the buds of all plants that have been covered by planting 
or cultivating. If this is not done they will not amount to very much. The first young 
plants should be encouraged to take root as this will enable them to get started earlier 
and make better beds and should be trained in the row so they will not be over-crowded 
especially the varieties that make a great many plants. 
Removing the blossoms—This is very important if you wish success with your plants 
for if the plants are allowed to produce fruit they are greatly weakened, using the great¬ 
er part of their vitality, therefore all blossoms should be removed the first year. On 
everbearing varieties all blossoms should be removed until about the middle of July, or 
until they get started good, when they can be allowed to fruit. 
SET PLANTS EARLY 
Set strawberry plants early — just as early as the ground can be worked. The na¬ 
tural and most successful time to set all plants is in the early spring. Every thing in 
nature takes on new life at this time, and your plants will do much better planted then 
than at any other time. 
Plants are dormant during the winter and just start putting out new foliage and will 
stand handling better than at any other time; also there is less foliage and can be packed 
in smaller packages and transportation will be less. 
Plants set in early spring, before the sun gets hot, will enable' them to get started 
much earlier. Then, there is plenty of moisture at this time, something every plant must 
have to live and when set under these conditions, if properly set will live almost to a 
plant and enables the plants to get started good before the hot dry weather sets in. 
Be sure to set your plants early this spring. I would suggest ordering plants shipped 
a few days before you intend setting (they can be heeled in if necessary) so they will be 
there ready to set when the weather is just right for setting. 
EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A STRAWBERRY GARDEN 
Strawberries are healthful and should be planted in every garden where you can go 
out and pick them fresh from the vines any time you want them. In this way you get 
“real” strawberry flavor as you will find they have a richer flavor than berries that have 
been picked 24 to 48 hours and in many instances much longer. 
Then just think of the many ways you can serve them — sugared down and served 
with milk or cream, canned, preserved, jam, in short cake, ice cream — they’re fine any 
way you fix them and no other piece of land of same size and with so little expense and 
labor will yield as much in satisfaction and profit, and by planting some everbearing 
plants this spring you can enjoy strawberries this summer and fall. 
Order plants now for your strawberry garden and I will reserve them and send 
when you say. 200 to 500 plants if given proper care will supply all you can use the 
whole season thru with some canned for winter use and probably some to sell to your 
neighbors who will be more than glad to get them. 
Noble Co., Ohio, April 22nd, 1937. 
Dear Sir:—We received your plants the 13tli and set out the same day. They came 
in fine shape. Just began to warm a little but not to hurt. Had a nice rain the next day 
-on them, worked them yesterday and all are alive. 
Harry Collins 
