M. D. ROBERTS, JESTERVILLE, MARYLAND 
3 
MANURES AND FERTILIZERS 
Barnyard manure, cow, hen, horse or sheep manure applied 
and plowed under the year before setting is the best method of fer¬ 
tilization. It can also be applied on the beds in the early spring 
before the fruiting year. Green forage crops plowed under during 
the year previous to setting is very beneficial—adding humus to 
the soil. 
APPLYING FERTILIZER BEFORE SETTING 
In some soils the newly set strawberry plant will not start 
growing quickly. Where this is the case, and barnyard manure can¬ 
not be obtained, it is necessary to resort to commercial fertilizers. 
Most commercial fertililzers contain chemicals which will burn the 
roots of strawberry plants, so a mixture which does not contain 
these chemicals will have to be selected. A mixture of 3 parts dis¬ 
solved bone and 1 part acid phosphate, when used carefully is safe. 
The usual method of applying is as follows: Open a furrow 
for each row, drill the mixture into the furrow at the rate of 400 
to 600 pounds per acre, mix the fertilizer thoroughly with the soil, 
throw up a row by covering the open furrow, then level down. The 
plants are set upon this levelled row. 
FERTILIZER AS A TOP DRESSING 
The use of commercial fertilizers as a topdressing is very 
beneficial. It can be used in the early autumn, after the spring of 
setting, or early in the spring of the fruiting year. If application 
is made in early autumn, the fertilizer should be sowed directly 
upon the beds at the rate of 500 to 700 pounds per acre, according: 
to your soil conditions. When using this method be Careful do^ 
Not Apply when Plants are Damp or Wet and brush all Fertilizer 
from the leaves with a Broom or Bush, or your plants will be 
burned by the chemicals in the fertilizer. In applying in the 
spring before the fruiting season, the fertilizer should be applied 
while the plants are dormant. If you should applj^ after growth 
starts, be careful and brush all fertilizer from the leaves. 500 to 700 
pounds of fertilizer is also used per acre according to the fertility 
of your soil. Do not use too much fertilizer or manure, as it has 
a tendency to produce too rank foliage, thereby cutting down your 
yield and ripening qualities of your berries. 
Much has been said regarding the proper chemical analysis 
of commercial fertilizer for use in successful strawberry culture 
especially in regard to the use of potash. It is our opinion that 
potash is beneficial if applied several months before fruiting time. 
Potash seems to add firmness to the fruit, and evidently adds 
lustre and brilliance to the color. 
