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 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 be- 
tween 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 
results. 
Soil 
While strawberries are widely grown on many types of soil, indi- 
vidual varieties show a marked difference in their response to vary- 
ing 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 local- 
ity. Plenty of moisture is essential, especially just before and during 
picking. 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 is 
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 
allowing only a limited number of strong, sturdy plants to set and 
removing 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 
during 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 conserving moisture, a most important item in strawberry pro- 
duction, and in weed control. It also keeps the berries cleaner. 
