The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-04-01
Agrifnltnral.
Culture of the Strawberry.
nv THE EDITOR OF AMERICAN FARMER

As no garden IS complete IN Its ap-
pointments, without it has bed or two
of this delicious fruit-this luxurious
and healthful source of enjoyment-we
shall lay down plan of culture, in the
hope that it may call the attention of
gentlemen, whose gardens are with
out them, to necessity of planting one
or more beds. A bed 80 feet square,
would yield an ample supply for fami-
ly, both to be eaten with sugar and cream,
and for preserves. Where the supply
is desired to be prolonged, one bed
should be selected with a southern
exposure, the other with a northern
one-these differences in exposure will
continue the supply fully too aceeks long
e, matter of great importance with a
fruit at once so grateful to the palate,
and so health-giving to the system, In It's
indulgence.
SELECTION OF BED.-For an early
supply, select bed with southern e1-
posure for late supply, select north
ern exposure.
SoIL.-The berry delights most
in moist soil-it is not material whether
it be deep sandy loan, or deep, clay
loan, so that it be moderately moist, but
mot aret. A clay loan, of proper texture,
would probably produce most fruit but
not so early as sandy loam. What we
mean by proper TEXTURE of clay loan, is
one that is not very tenacious, but is
friable, easily worked, and susceptible of
being put in frst-rate order. ..>+.
PREPARATION OF THE BED.-Let the
bed be trenched to the depth of 10 inch
es at least When thus dug, a dressing
of compost manure must be spaded in.
As the spading progresses, let the soil
be thoroughly pulverized with rake.
This done, put on full dressing of COM
post formed of parts well-rotted dung,
8 parts wood's-m Juld, or other rich
mould, and l part Stacked ashes; spade
this in half spade deep, taking care to
rake as the spading progresses, so as to
bring the soil in fine tilth and complete
the work by passing the garden roller
over the bed.
LAYING OFF THE BED.-Your bed
having been prepared as before directed,
divide it into compartments or beds, a
feet wide, with alleys 2 feet wide be-
tween each, for the convenience of work
ing, wedding, and gathering the fruit.
DISTANCE OF PLANTING THR VINES.
Make 8 rows of strawberries in each
bed, and place the vines IL or Is inches
apart in the rows, according to the size
of the variety. .-.
TIME OF SETTING OUT THE PLANTS
OR VINEs.-In Spring this can be done
in March, in the Southern States, in
April and May in the Middle States, and
in May in the North and East in Sum
ner, any time after the middle of Au-
gust (; in Autumn during all September
and October if the fall be very mild
one, the planting may be continued till
the middle of November. Beds set out
in the fall or early in the spring, will
bear crops the first year-those set out
later, will bear the succeeding year.
MANAGEMENT OF NEWLY PLANTED
BEDs.-After your vines are set out,
place long straw or tanners bark, be-
tween the rows, to preserve moisture,
and be careful to give the plants water
ings every few days, until they take root,
or rain occurs. Beds planted in
spring, must be watered in times of
drouth, throughout the season, as the
vines require moisture, and are injuri-
ously affected by long continued dry
weather, unless thus assisted.
AFTER CULTURE-During the first
two seasons, cut off the runners before
they have chance to take root. Early
in each spring, remove the straw, or tan
ner's bark from between the rows, work
the ground between the vines with a
small hoe, and draw little earth around
them; then spread fresh straw, or tan
ner's bark, or, indeed, both between the
rows, to preserve moisture in the earth,
and protect the fruit, when formed, from
grit and sand. This done, (before your
vines get into bloom) give them thoro'
watering with a solution of SCOT, made in
the proportion of 6 or quarts of SCOT to
a hogshead of water This is the very
best manuring you can give them, as the
SCOT contains all the substances they need
to aid them in the formation of their
fruit they are in the best possible condi-
tion to be taken up by the plants, thro
their feeders or spongioles.
While the fruit is being formed, the
vines, in dry weather, must be repeatedly
watered; but, after they are in bloom
the utmost care must be observed not tt
wash off the farina of the flowers, a.
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