Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-01
Straws from a Hay Stack..-No. 4.
WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW TO GROW STRAW.
BERRIES


WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW TO GROW STRAW.
BERRIES.
When.-Strawberries may be set out at
almost any season of the year; though we
prefer about the LIST Of May, for this lati-
tudo, earlier South, and later further North.
But the month Of August, or the fore part
of september, will answer just as well, and
with a little more care in transplanting and
watering, do quite as we'll as early in the
spring Plants set out the LIST Of May will
yield pretty full crop the next year, while
those of later setting will produce somewhat
less. We have gathered moderate supply
the last season from plot planted the 9th
day Of October year. We repeat, then,
that any time will do; but if supply of
berries Is desired the next season, tho earlier
the better.
Location and SoI.--Any place except
low, wet swamp, or barren, sandy hill will
do; but sandy or light loan, moist but not
wet, is the best for soil, and surface
sloping towards the South produces the ear
liest fruit; especially, if it be protected from
cold breezes by close, high board fence on
the West; and North, thick border Of live
hedge or shrubbery of any kind, will afford
partial protection. For late berries, North
ern slope should be chosen. Those who have
a variety of location to choose from, may
secure both early and late crops. But few
have this choice and to such we say, take
any plot you can spare in the corner of your
garden, or of the field, if need be, and if it
can be deeply underdrained, all the better
No matter how dry the land is, for air circu-
lating from the drains up through the soil is
quite beneficial to the crop for sundry rea-
sons. However, draining is not indspensa-
BILE, as strawberries will grow without it,
unless in place subject to stagnant water.
Preparing the Ground.-Clear the sur
face Of grass and weed seeds, as much as pos
sible, and dig up the soil deeply, stirring it
foot and half in depth, at least. If the
surface soil is rich, mix it partly with the
under or sub-soil; if not rich, spade into
the sub-soil some we'll rotted manure, or rot
ten chips, or leaves. Strawberries require
much water, and when the soil is prepared
deeply, the roots will penetrate down further
to find maisture, even during a drouth. If
the land is moderately rich, little ashes,
lime, and salt may be mixed with it while it
is being spaded, and finely pulverzed. IF
the soil be poor, it should be treated to fair
coating, we'll stirred in, either of rotten turf,
or Of good surface soil from elsewhere
Decayed leaves are also excellent, and we'll
rotted manures Of any kind may be used in
small quantities. Too much of any strong
animal manure is apt to induce too great
growth of vines at the expense of fruit
Let it be borne in mind that the soil
should be thoroughly prepared by deep
spading and fine pulverzing, as it cannot
well be worked after the plants are under
way. Here stitch in time saves nine. >
Two or three hours work Of man will pre-
pare a bed large enough to suppIya family
with fruit during the entire season of bear
ing.
Setting the PlantS-These should be set
out in rows, say eighteen to twenty.four
inches apart, and the plspts ten to twelve
inches from each other in the row. Before
taking them up for removal, wet the ground
thoroughly around them, and keep as much
earth remaining upon them as may be. Just
after heavy rain is the best time for trans.
planting though it may be done at any time,
if sufficient care be taken to wet the ground
well-not merely sprinkling it-and repeat
thorough watering often enough TO keep the
soil well moistened
Set boards up by the rows, to shield them
from the SUMS direct rays, for few days af-
ter planting. 1t is advisable to cover the
surface between the rows, close up to the
plants, with tan-bark, or leaves, or fresh-cut
grass, and allow this to remain there Tan
bark is thought to be the best. When cold
weather comes on, cover the bed with, say
two inches, of straw, or old hay, or even
leaves, to protect it from the cold during the
winter.
Selection of VarietieS.-If a new hand
at the business, get of the nearest nursery
man, for the first bed, one or more Of the
most easily obtainable of the following vari-
cites Hovey's Seeding, McAvoy's Superb
ors, Burr's New Pine, OF Crimson Cone. If
more than one kind is used, set them in sep
arate rows and whether one or more of
these four kinds be taken, as they are all
p,Stel1ate or female plants, be sure to set a
short row, upon one side of tho bed, OF few
stGminate or male plants, say Longworth's
Prolific, or the Large Early, or lowas, If
you can only take the trouble to get one kind
Of plants, let it be Longworth's Prolific, as
this is partly hermapnrodite, and will bear of
its own accord Hay STACK.