J. H. Shivers Plant Farms, Allen, Maryland 5 
However, if coarse manure is not convenient you can get very good re- 
sults from commercial fertilizer. A mixture composed of 1,500 pounds dis- 
solved bone and 500 pounds super phosphate. The analysis of this mixture 
is about 3-10-0. Use about 500 or 600 pounds of this per acre in the drill 
before the plants are set, or alongside of the plants, and thoroughly work in 
with hoe or cultivator soon after setting the plants. Where applied in the 
drill, it should be worked in thoroughly, going at least twice in each row with 
a horse and cultivator to mix it in. If applied broadcast, 1,000 pounds or 
more per acre of this mixture thoroughly harrowed in befcre the plants are 
set, can be used without injury and possibly to advantage. If this amount 
is to be used, however, I would much prefer to put five or six hundred pounds 
in the drill and use the balance as a side dressing in late summer. I have 
used as much as 700 pounds without injury, but have seen severe injury from 
1,000 pounds in the drill, not thoroughly mixed with the soil. In no case 
should nitrate or potash salts ever be used in any mixture drilled under the 
plants. Contact of any of these materials with the roots will surely burn 
them. In the past many thousands of plants have been killed by such methods. 
As a top dressing to be used in late summer, or in early spring before growth 
starts, I have seen 6-8-6 and 5-10-5 fertilizer give excellent results. In a very 
dry season on very light soil, I have seen fertilizer applied in early spring 
cut down the yield by producing a heavy growth of foliage which sucked out 
the scanty supply of moisture. 
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE PLANTS ARRIVE: Order your plants early, 
before foliage starts to grow and set plants out upon arrival if possible. If 
impossible to set upon arrival, place plants in cold storage if available at 32 
degrees F. until conditions are right for setting. When no cold storage is. 
available, dig a V-shaped trench, open the bundles, spread out in thin layers. 
with buds just even with the surface of the ground and firm the soil back 
against the roots of the plants. If necessary, several layers of plants can be 
heeled-in the same place with one or two inches of soil between each layer of 
plants. Wet the soil and roots of plants thoroughly when heeling-in is done. 
WHEN TO PLANT: The best time to plant is sometime during March or 
April, or as soon as the ground can be made ready for planting, LATER 
PLANTING RETARDS NORMAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. Order 
your plants as early as possible; plants set early start quicker and make a 
more vigorous growth of plants. I begin shipping during warm spells in win- 
ter, and after the first of March in unlimited quantities. 
Many inquiries come in regard to planting in August. Plants at that 
season of the year are not matured enough to permit digging or shipping with- 
out too much waste. Therefore, spring is the most natural and successful 
time for planting. 
METHOD OF SETTING: There are many methods of setting strawberry 
plants. No particular method has advantage over another except in the sav- 
ing of labor. The important thing is to get your plants in the ground the 
same depth as they grew in the original bed and to pack the dirt firmly around 
the roots. This done, there is little choice as to the method of doing it. 
