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THE CULTURE OF STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
Soil Requirements and Site: Strawberries 
are one of the easiest of the fruits to grow 
and there is but one secret method which 
wil! assure success. It is simply good land, 
good cultivation, good plants, and good sense. 
Any average garden soil can be expected to 
produce a satisfactory crop of both plants and 
fruit. However, the ideal soil for strawberries 
is a fertile, deep, well drained sandy loam. All 
the different types of soil are made more suit- 
able by adding organic matter, either in the 
form of barnyard manure of green manure 
crops. Organic matter added to the soil in- 
creases the water-holding capacity, and mois- 
ture is very essential for maximum produc- 
tion. In’ regions where late frosts are fre- 
quent, much care should be taken in the selec- 
tion of a site for the plants. A southern slope, 
being warmer will make for an early start in 
growth and will cause the plant to bear fruit ; 
much earlier, but for that reason is more subject to late frosts. A northern slope will of 
course be later, but less likely to be injured by late frosts. In sections where frosts are not 
usually a serious hinderance, many fields of low elevation are good locations for strawberries. 
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BS Preparation of Soil: It is very important that the soil be properly prepared. The land 3 
AS should be plowed in late winter or spring. If some cover crop has been grown, the soil will OF 
LQ work up better if the scil is disced thoroughly before it is plowed. Next a harrow can be used ON 
i so that a soft level planting bed is formed. The rows can then be marked and the plants set os 
nO} at the distances wanted. If commercial fertilizer is used, which is a very wise thing to do, the or 
LQ rows should be run out to a depth of about four inches. After the fertilizer has been distribut- Oe 
Eo ed the soil is thrown back into the furrow and again leveled off with a drag. on 
x Types of Fertilizer; As for types of fertilizer for the plants, no kind is better than well- on 
BS rotted stable manure ov any other similar materials. It is best to apply this just before the iy 
RG land is prepared for setting the plants. Commercial fertilizers give good results and are used Oe 
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LQ by practically all the larger growers. The grower should take great care in applying the fer- Or 
Ee tilizer so as to avoid possible injury in applying before planting. It should be plowed into the i 
NS ground thoroughly and allowed to remain in that manner at least a week before setting the Oval 
LQ plants. Certain types of fertilizer will prove very injurious to the plants if not put on with Or 
BS skill. Mixtures containing Nitrate of Soda, Sulphate of Ammonia or Potash Salts will injure Ss 
~ the plants and often times kill them if allowed to come into contact with the roots. Any good Or 
5} commercial fertilizer can be expected to increase the yield, but it is unwise to use over 700 on 
io pounds per acre. Oe 
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& Time To Set Plants: Early spring is the best time to plant strawberries, for even light Om 
x5) frosts which do not lift or heave the ground do not injure the plants. In the early spring the 
LQ buds of the plants are in an inactive state, and the weather is most favorable to their getting 
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a strong rapid start. 
SISA 
Distance To Set Plants: Plants should be set in rows 3 or 4 feet apart, or even as much as 
4% feet if the soil is very fertile. The plants can be set 15 to 30 inches apart in the row, de- 
pending on the variety, the condition of land, earliness of setting, and the quality of plants. 
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Method of Setting Plants: A trowl, spade or hoe are the tools most often used in setting 
plants, and a good job can be done with them. It is important to have the roots straight down. 
Spreading them might help a little but not much. The crown must be held just at the surface 
of the ground so that when the soil is packed back against the roots with the hand or foot, the 
bud will not be covered nor the roots exposed. 
Ieee CONC CC 2G) 
Cultivation: The plants should be cultivated and hoed soon after they have started growth 
ASASASASASTSTSTS 

after being set out. It is important at the first hoeing to uncover the buds of any plants that Oey 
may have been planted too deep. If this is not done early plants will die as a result. Cultivate Re 
often enough to keep the surface of the ground from becoming crusted and to keep down grass oe 
and weeds. It is not necessary to practice deep cultivation. A depth of 1 to 1% inches is deep oF 
enough for the hoe, or perhaps slightly deeper with the cultivator. Remember that one culti- OR 
ey vation made in time is much more helpful than two made after grass and weeds become bad. Ss 
SG} Frequent hoeing and plowing make larger, stronger fruiting beds and a better crop of berries. OF 
38 Cutting Blossoms: Fruit stems usually appear on strawberry plants soon after they are om 
28 set in the field. These blossoms should be removed as the production of fruit is a severe strain Qe 
aD on their vitality. This aids the plant in overcoming unfavorable conditions and in starting Oe 
XS growth and producing runners. 
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