The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-06-07
Culture of strawberries

Of our readers, '.lucky raortals" viii luxuri-
ate on rich strawberries and cream, the pro-
duct Of their own grounds; and others will
feel regret that they were not born TO such
rood fortune, or that they did not think Of it
the proper season and set out bed Of straw
berry plants Others, again, will complain
that tLev have tried to raise strawberries, but
..neyer had any luck with them''-the plants
died, or did not bear well. or soon run out,
De TO all such persons we viii offer few
words of advice and instruction.
/. The best time to plant Strawberries. in
this climate, is in the Spring Nearly all the
experiments we have seen tried in Summer or
Fall planting have failed, owing to the heat
and drought, or the subsequent freezing and
thawing. If planted as early in the spring as
he ground and plants can be ready, they will
become well rooted before hot weather, and
perhaps bear a little fruit. and the next year
fine crop may be expected.
q Tie preparation Of the soil is the main
point on which the people of Ohio need in
struction, especially where the soil is not nat
urally very deep and somewhat sandy
grayelly On this point We cannot do better
graph tie following remarks by Mr.. Saunders
an experienced gardener Of that place.
"When we consider the habit of growth,
aN-h9D' "a iAHNAA4H6' ~AA - 49,
atrawberry plant, we are led to the conclusion
that the soil intended for its growth should
receive the most thorough preparation. Its
dwarf, spreading growth is not favorable, for
after Improvement of the soil, farther than
what can be derived from applications on the
surface. Ripening at period which, in nine
seasons out of ten, is characterised by def
cient moisture in the SOIL and extreme atmos-
pheric ardity, suggests the idea of allowing
he roots deep and rich medium, where they
can luxuriate uniniuenced by surface tempe
nature. And when we further consider that
strawberry plantation should produce at least
three crops before removal, we may safely
aver that the preparation of the soil in the
first instance is of the utmost Importance.
This leads us to the foundation Of all per-
manent Improvement suJsoa culture. Trench
the soil at least inches in depth, incorpora-
ting a heavy dressing of we'll decomposed
manure, and if the soil is clayey, or adhesive
III lis nature, application OF charcoal dust
win be highly beneficial As a corrective for
claYty soils, charcoal cannot be too highly
recommended. In a physical view it renders
tie soil porous and permeable to gases. and
chemically, its absorbing and disinfecting
properties equally valuable, the amount Of
ammonia and other gases which it is capable
ofabsorbng, giving IT value as fertilizer. On
a soil thus treated, there will be no danger of
a detective, half-ripened crop, or the plants
Burning out, as frequently happens poor,
FiuENDsHP.--If man does not make new &C
quaintance he advances through lite he will
soon find himself left alone. should keep
his friendship In constant repair.
shallow soil, for although the straw berry is a
plant Of small structure, have traced the roots
in favorable soils, distance Of three feet from
the surface"
3. In setting the plants, very common err
is not allowing sufficient space between
the rows For small garden culture, we pre-
fer TO plant in beds about feet wide and three
rows to a bed, the rows about two feet apart,
and the plants one foot apart in the rows; but
this IS too close for the strong growing varie-
ties. especially if it is desired 70 produce the
largest specimens of fruit. and to have the
beds continue 4 or 5years without renewal
A Mulching and dressing the ground be-
tween the rows Of plants, is very essential to
complete success in this climate. \ covering
Of Old tan bark or sawdust, an inch or two
thick, should be applied, soon after planting,
u protect against drouth, and check the
growth Of weeds. Then late in the fall, add a
dressing Of old manure, which may be forked
into the ground early in the spring, and
covering of tan or sawdust again applied
this latter will serve to keep the fruit from the
ground as well as benefit the plants
5. Watering is very beneficial especially
when the plants are newly set, and also when
bearing fruit When irrigation has been tried
it has caused wonderful increase of the crop;
and the bearing season is thereby greatly pro
Ionged Much was said in the papers a year
or two ago about an "overbearing' variety of
strawberry found at New Orleans; and several
enterpnsing horticulturalists took pains to pro-
cure plants of il and test it at the North, but
il WAS found that when removed from its ia
vorite location, its bearing season lasted no
longer than those of other varieties and the
whole secret of its productiveness consisted
in deep and rich culture, plenty of water and
warm climate.
6. Choice Of Varieties On this point some
difficulty arises from the immense number of
varieties that are named and recommended in
the books and catalogues. We shall only
speak of those that have been tested on the
soils Of Central and Southern Ohio Among
these we place first for productiveness. good
size and ilavor-Burrs New Pine and Hud-
son: for size and color. Ho,ey's Seeding; for
large size and good flavor. McAvoy's Superior
and Burr's Ohio Mammoth. These are all
pistillate varieties. and for a staminste variety
to plant with one or more OF the foregoing, we
would use Large Early Scarlet. or Burr's old
Seeding. There are also several very good
staminate varieties that have originated at
Cincinnati. but not yet generally known as
yet.
Z. arrangement OF Piants.-The most pro-
duetive and popular varieties of strawberry
plants have what are termed pistallate flowers
and in order to secure good crops of fruit,
some plants of variety having staminate
flowers, (as Early Scarlet and Burr's old
Seeding, must be planted near them. Hence.
l. l.
bed of staminate between each two beds Of
pissallate: OF. if the plants are set in rows
across lot or field, one row of staminate will
suffice for 6 or rows of pistillates; but it is