18 
ROBERTS’ READY TO GROW STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
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Until the introduction of Mastodon and Gem everbearers, the 
everbearer was more of a novelty, than a profitable crop. By 
planting these varieties one can obtain a nice crop of strawberries 
in the fall following the usual spring planting. Besides bearing a 
crop in the fall, the everbearers produce a full crop in the spring, 
as do the spring bearing varieties. 
The culture of the everbearers is practically the same as for 
the spring bearing varieties. There are, however, a few exceptions 
which should be carefully noted for general success. 
FIRST: Fertile soil should be selected Liberal applications 
of barnyard manure over the soil during the year previous to set¬ 
ting will be of great benefit. 
SECOND: While good results have been obtained by growing 
the everbearers in the matted row system, the hill system is more 
desirable. The hill system is, simply, not allowing the plant to 
produce runner plants. It is readily understood that a plant can¬ 
not produce an abundance of fruit, and at the same time produce 
numerous runner plants. The runners are either clipped, or chop¬ 
ped off. In the matted row system you will have more plants to 
produce berries, but there will be fewer berries per plant. 
THIRD: It is the nature of the ever-bearer to put out fruit 
buds and blossoms through-out the summer. If these blossoms are 
allowed to develop into fruit the plant will be weakened, and will 
not grow freely. The blossoms should be kept off the plant until 
about three weeks before the crop is desired. In this section the 
blossoms are kept off until August 1st. There is usually a crop 
by September 1st. Farther north we would suggest keeping the 
blossoms off until about the middle of July. The blossoms are 
usually clipped, or pinched off as they appear. 
By following these suggestions, we believe you will grow 
splendid crops of everbearers. 
MASTODON 
Everbearing. Perfect Flowering 
Mastodon has a great reputation. It’s success is wide-spread. 
It is demanded by a great many grov/ers. 
Mastodon is a medium dark red berry, with prominent yellow 
seeds and dark green cap. It is a prolific bearer of large, delicious 
berries. It is firm enough for home use and local markets. Masto¬ 
don, sometimes, makes but few runner plants, and it will not have 
to be thinned so closely. 
