INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MAKING OF 
A STRAWBERRY BARREL 
Soil 
Send and 
travelled route 
of tin form 
indicating position 
of roots when setting 
the plants 
Tin form in first 
position filled with 
sand 
The Strawberry Barrel is becoming more popular in the 
east than it has been on the west coast, where it has been used 
in home gardens for years. It has two definite purposes. The 
first—it is a space saver; second—it is an ornamental novelty, 
which is very attractive in any formal garden, corner of a lawn, 
or terrace. Any type of barrel may be used, even a nail keg. 
For the purpose of explanation, we will deal with the con- 
struction of a Strawberry Barrel, making use of an ordinary 
nail keg. The whole secret in the successful operation of a 
Strawberry Barrel is in the irrigation core by which the barrel 
is kept watered. Contrary to many articles that have been 
written in magazines and U.S. D. A. bulletins, we find that a 
core of sand is much more preferable than the old idea of a 
perforated metal tube, even though the tube may be packed 
with sphagnum moss to operate as a wick. The sand core can be 
easily constructed by using an ordinary No. 2% fruit can, and 
cutting out both the top and bottom with a smooth cutter, 
leaving only the cylinder, which is to be used as a form. 
After boring the holes in the keg, 2 inches in diameter and 
6 inches on centers, and having available 25 everbearing straw- 
berry plants, you are now ready to build your barrel 
Place the tin form in the center of the barrel and fill it 
with sand. Around this place ordinary good fertile garden soil, 
bringing the level to the bottom of the first row of holes. Then 
thread the roots of your plant from the outside in through the 
hole, as you would thread a darning needle, laying them on 
top of the soil with the roots in an upward position at about a 
45 degree angle. This angle of the roots will allow for the set- 
tling of the soil and after settling, they should be on a horizon- 
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