6 M. WOOD & SONS 
sults and are used by practically all the larger 
commercial growers. The grower should take 
great care in applying the fertilizer so as to a- 
void possible injury in applying before planting. 
It should be plowed into the ground thoroughly 
and allowed to remain in that manner at least 
a week before setting the plants. Certain types 
of fertilizer will prove very injurious to the plants 
if not put on with skill. Mixtures containing 
Nitrate of Soda, Sulphate of Ammonia or Potash 
Salts will injure the plants and often times kill 
them if allowed to come into contact with the 
roots. Any good commercial fertilizer can be 
expected to increase the yield, but it is unwise to 
use over 500 pounds per acre per application. 
Time To Set Plants 
Early spring is the best time to plant straw- 
berries, for even light frosts which do not lift or 
heave the ground do not injure the plants. In the 
early spring the buds of the plants are in an in- 
active state, and the weather is most favorable 
to their getting a strong rapid start. 
Distance To Set Plants 
Plants should be set in rows 3 to 414 feet 
apart. The plants can be set 18 to 30 inches apart 
in the rows, depending on the variety, the condi- 
tion or land, earliness of setting, and the quality 
of plants. 
Method of Setting Plants 
and Cuitivation 
A trowl, spade or hoe are the tools most often 
used in setting plants, and a good job can be done 
with them. 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. It is important to have the roots straight 
down. The plants should be cultivated and hoed 
soon after they have started growth after being 
