4. WALLER BROTHERS 
The Culture Of 
Strawberry Plants 
SOIL REQUIREMENTS AND SITE 
Strawberries are one of the easiest of the fruits to 
grow and there is but one secret method which will as- 
sure success. It is simply good land, good cultivation, 
good plants, and good sense. Any average garden soil 
can be expected to produce a satisfactory crop of both 
plants and fruit. However, the ideal soil for strawberries 
is a fertile deep, well drained sandy loam. All the dif- 
ferent types of soil are made more suitable by adding 
organic matter, either in the form of barnyard manure 
or green manure crops. Organic matter added to the soil 
increases the water-holding capacity, and moisture is very 
essential for maximum production. In regions where 
late frosts are frequent, much care should be taken in 
the selection of a site for the plants. A southern slope, 
being warmer will make for an early start in growth 
and will cause the plants to bear fruit much earlier, but 
for that reason is more subject to late frosts. A northern 
slope will of course be later, but less likely to be injured 
by late frosts. In sections whene frosts are not usually 
a serious hinderance, many fields of low elevation are 
good locations for strawberries. 
PREPARATION OF SOIL 
It is very important that the soil be properly pre- 
pared. The land should be plowed in late winter or 
spring. If some cover crop has been grown, the soil will 
work up better if the soil is disced thoroughly before 
it is plowed. Next a harrow can be used so that a soft 
level planting bed is formed. The rows can then be 
marked and the plants set at the distance wanted. If 
commercial fertilizer is used, which is a very wise thing 
to do, the rows should be run out to a depth of about 
four inches. After the fertilizer has been distributed the 
soil is thrown back into the furrow and again leveled 
off with a drag. 
TYPES OF FERTILIZER 
As for types of fertilizer for the plants, no kind is 
better than well-rotted stable manure or any other sim- 
ilar materials. It is best to apply this just before the 
land is prepared for setting the plants. Commercial 
fertilizers give good results and are used by practically 
all the larger growers. The grower should take great 
care in applying the fertilizer so as to avoid 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 injurous 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 commer- 
cial fertilizer can be expected to increase the yield, but it 
is unwise to use over 700 pounds per acre. 
TIME TO SET PLANTS 
Early spring is the best time to plant strawberries, 
for even light frosts which do not lift or heave the 
