CULTURAL PRACTICES 
Care of the Plants on Arrival 
The package should be opened at once and the roots of each bunch 
put in water for a few minutes. If it is necessary to hold the plants 
for a few days, wet the roots as stated and repack them loosely in the 
package or put in a pile with the roots inside with damp moss between 
the layers as in the original package, keeping the plants in a_ cool 
place. If it is necessary to hold them more than a few days, heel the 
plants in the soil. However, immediate planting insures the best re- 
sults. 
Soil 
While strawberries are widely grown on many types of soil, indi- 
vidual varieties show a marked difference in their response to varyiny 
soil types. Some varieties, such as Premier, are universally adapted 
and will do well on almost any soil. Others are more capricious and 
will vary from poor to excellent depending on the soil and the locality. 
_ Plenty of moisture is essential, especially just before and during pick- 
ing. Soils rich in humus or organic matter are better adapted to hold 
sufficient moisture than are poor soils low in humus. 
Plant on clean soil, free from weeds and grass. This will aid 
greatly in weed control. 
Planting 
Early Spring planting as soon as the ground can be well fitted :s 
best. If delayed until late spring, the chances of heavy loss due to hot 
dry weather are much greater. 
Set in rows 3% to 4 feet apart and 15 to 30 inches in the row. At 
these distances it will require 7,000 to 8,000 plants per acre. 
Cultivation 
Cultivate frequently enough to keep the soil in good tilth and to 
control weeds. Weed control is absolutely essential to successful 
berry growing. 
Some of the more free-growing varieties tend to set too many 
plants for the best results. Recent experiments have shown that al- 
lowing only a limited number of strong, sturdy plants to set and re- 
moving all excess runners, will result in larger yields with a higher 
percentage of large, better quality berries. 
Blossoms should be removed from the newly set plants as they 
appear. 
Mulching 
Late in the fall berries should be mulched to prevent heaving dur- 
ing the winter. Marsh hay, straw, leaves, strawy manure or any like 
material may be used. In the spring, the bulk of this mulch should be 
raked off the plants and put between the rows. This will aid in con- 
serving moisture, a most important item in strawberry production, 
and in weed control. It also keeps the berries cleaner. 
