6 J. H. Shivers Plant Farms, Allen, Maryland 
SETTING THE PLANTS 
We recommend setting the plants in rows 31% to 4 feet apart, or even as 
much as 4% feet, if the scil is very fertile. The plants should be set 15 to 
24 inches apart in the row, depending on the varieties set, the width of the 
rows themselves and the fertility of the land. Free growing varieties like 
Dunlap, Missionary and Blakemore which make large numbers of plants 
should be set farther apart than varieties like Chesapeake, Lupton and others 
that make larger plants, and not so many of them. 
SCALE OF SETTING PLANTS 
Approximate Number of Plants Required for 1 Acre for Various Distances. 
Rows In Row Plants per Acre 
3 ft. apart 18 in. 9,700 
3 ft. apart 24 in. 7,300 
3% ft. apart 18 in. 8,360 
34 ft. apart 24 in, - 6,200 
4 ft. apart 18 in. 7,300 
4 ft. apart 24 in. 5,500 
CULTIVATION: The cultivation is always important and should be 
started as soon as the planting is finished. If one will take the trouble to 
destroy all grass and weeds the year previous on land to be planted in straw- 
berries, it will be found to pay handsomely, as the seeds thus destroyed will 
not be in your berry beds to plague the grower and run up the cost of hoeing. 
Keep them clean until frost, hoe shallow so as not to distrub the roots, and 
success 1s assured. 
VARIETIES: The selection of varieties should be governed by the local 
conditions and the demand of the markets to be furnished. Information is 
available from your State Agricultural Experiment Station, local growers or 
County Agent. Some varieties are very popular in the South, while other 
varieties are more popular in the Central and West. The North select and 
find more satisfaction in growing an entirely different variety from the other 
_ sections. New varieties are constantly being developed and tested. 
MULCHING: Before severe weather starts the plants should be covered 
with 1 to 8 inches of good mulching material such as hay, straw or pine 
needles. As spring growth starts this mulch where too thick should be pulled 
open and arranged under the plants. Plants for the most part are usually able 
to push through thinner mulches, unless it packs. This mulch serves to support 
the fruit and avoids rot and grit, making your berries cleaner and firmer 
to harvest and the mulch keeps the moisture up in dry, windy weather. 
MARKETING: The ultimate value of a crop of berries is determined by 
the selling price. Well grown fruit should receive the greatest care in harvest- 
ing, packing and shipping, so that it reaches the consumer in as good condition 
as possible. There is usually an oversupply of poor fruit, but very rarely 
is the market glutted with good fruit, well displayed. Intelligent grading 
pays. A dishonest pack hurts the shipper most. Some form of ventilated 
crate should be used for best results in transit. 
