2 
ROBERTS’ READY TO GROW STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
STRAWBERRIES 
Time of Planting.—In the Spring, as soon as freezing stops 
and soil can be worked. Early planting guarantees a good start. 
Where to Plant.—In any good well-drained soil which will 
produce good vegetable and grain crops. 
Amount of Plants Required To Set An Acre.—Rows four 
feet apart, plants 18 inches in row, 7,000 plants. Rows four 
feet apart, plants 24 inches in row, 5,500 plants. 
Caution.—Plant well; keep free of weeds and grass; do not 
work too deeply; keep well drained; do not allow beds of free 
plant making varieties to become too thick. 
After soil has been prepared to resemble a “garden spot”, 
lay off rows about four feet apart, with a marker or other shal¬ 
low cutting instrument. Set plants on the same side of mark in 
each row, the opening being made with trowel or spade. Place 
plant with roots straight down opening. Do not double roots. 
Fill in earth against roots. Press earth firmly, so air cannot 
reach roots. Do not cover crown, or bud. Do not leave any part 
of root exposed. Heavy bedding varieties like Blakemore and 
Dorsett should be set 24 inches apart in the row. Fairfax and 
Chesapeake, which do not make plants so freely, should be set 
about 18 inches in the row. 
In about ten days begin cultivation. Work between the rows 
with a horse, or hand drawn cultivator or harrow. Work between 
the plants in the row with a garden hoe. Do not cultivate or hoe 
too deeply. You must not disturb the roots of growing strawberry 
plants. When blossoms fully appear, in the Spring of setting, 
clip or pinch them off. The crop from newly planted plants is 
not profitable, and your plants will need their vitality to produce 
a fruiting bed for next season, also to withstand the hot sun of 
summer. Continue cultivation and hoeing until late autumn, 
gradually throwing a ridge toward the bed, and leaving a small 
trench in the middle of the row. This is done for drainage pur¬ 
poses, and can be done by using a larger tooth at the rear of the 
cultivator during the last workings. With the free plant making 
varieties, such as Blakemore and Dorsett, keep your bed thinned 
down by chopping off a few runners every time you hoe your 
plants. Do not chop up plants you have left for bedding pur¬ 
poses. Chop off the runner before it has rooted. It is proven, 
beyond all doubt, that by having a moderate bed instead of a thick 
one, the quality and size of your crop will be increased. 
