Rennie Bros. Argilla Road Andover, Mass. 

1950 SUGGESTIONS 
How To Grow Strawberries 
Selecting and preparing the land is important in growing 
strawberries. Soil should be given the same thorough prepara- 
tion for strawberries as any other crops. The strawberries will 
do well on nearly all kinds of soil if well drained. The largest 
crops are grown on land where there is plenty of humus plowed 
under so that the plants can get plenty of moisture at all times. 
The ideal strawberry land should be porous and well drained. A 
slight slope is desired to secure proper drainage—enough to 
carry off the melting snows so that ice will not cover the fields. 
How much manure and fertilizer to be used depends on the 
condition of the soil. If plenty of barnyard manure has been ap- 
plied to the crops preceding the strawberries, your land should 
be in good condition for strawberries. 
We always plow plenty of green crops under before setting 
the plants—at least two crops. Cow-peas, clover, vetch and rye 
are very good. Sod land should be avoided as too many grubs are 
likely to be there. 
Select a piece of land that has had a hoed crop for two years. 
If your land will wash away during the winter months, be sure 
and plant a cover crop. Land that is fairly level should be plowed 
late in the fall. We always plow again in the spring 10” deep and 
harrowed until it is quite loose. The finer the condition of the soil 
at planting time, the better for the crop and the easier to take 
care of it. 
Plant strawberries on new land. On land that hasn’t been 
set to strawberries for two or more years and that has had at 
least two good cover crops plowed under, and you will be assured 
of a good crop. Strawberry plants grown on new land are always 
free from disease. 
What To Do With Rennie’s New Land Plants 
Set plants upon arrival if possible. If for any reason you are 
unable to plant as soon as plants arrive, the plants should be 
taken to some cool place, then taken from the crate; dampen the 
moss a little, replace back in crate, very lightly. Plants taken 
care of in this way should be in good condition for four or five 
days. If you are still unable to plant in four or five days, they 
should be heeled in a V shaped trench. Make your trench 6” deep 
with a little slope so that plants will stand up. Untie the bunches, 
spread them in layers in the trench firmly with the earth up 
against the roots and keep the crowns just level with the surface. 
Keep the plants shaded for a few days and water to give them a 
good start. Plants will keep this way for a long time. Always 
keep the labels with the plants so as not to get them mixed. 
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