Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-20
NO. 1l9.
THE CULTURE OF THE STRAWBERRY.


The culture of this delicious fruit is not
nearly so general as it well might be. OF
all the varieties of the small garden fruits
none is more delicate and pleasing to the
palate, and with only moderate care none
is more easy of production. In this coun-
try the strawberry could remain in full
bearing from the latter days Of April to
the early days of the following October,
that is by giving due attention to the va
rlouS degrees of latitude, and like care to
the selection of the early and late ripening
qualities of the almost interminable varie-
ties OF the plant. In early gardening rec
ords we find but three distinct strawberry
plants spoken of as native. The Grandi-
nora, a pine strawberry indigenous to
Surlnam; the Chiloensis, a native of Chill
and the common Scarlet, or Virginian
strawberry. Thus we see that we owe
two varieties to the South American and
one TO the Nor b Americi n Continent. Thele
are still varieues of the Pine strawberry
found on both the French and Italian slopes
OF the Alps, and the Hautboy grows wild
in many woods and forests in Germany,
France and England. Owing to the null
tiplication by careful culture of the straw
berry, it has assumed an important place
in all well-cared-for gardens. 1t lis found
ranging in color from deep red to snowy
white, including pink and delicately- tinted
pink and white. 1t loves temperate eli
mate, and porous yet generous soil.
Though small plant, it requires much
room; every individual plant should stand
eighteen inches by two feet apart; the
beds should be laid out in rows of five
deep. with paths of fully three feet
breadth running between, or else plant in
borders, placing every plant two feet from
its neighbor. Do not plant in shady bor-
ders, as the strawberry loves air and sun
shine, and will not fruit well unless it has
them. Never transplant old plants make
your new beds from cuttings or still better
from the strongly-rooted runners. When
you wish to insure succession of crops
raise many varieties; then subject certain
plants OF the early-ripening varieties to
artificial heat, and later in the season nip
the first and second crop of blossoms off
the latter varieties, thus insurng third
series OF blossoms and a late harvest of
fruit. The strawberry plant strikes its
roots unusually deep; under favorable
circumstances of soil they will penetrate
two feet under the surface in direct depth,
and fully as much in circumference. The
leaf is large and absorbs much nutriment
from the gases of the air. Many skilled
and careful gardeners place rows of bricks
under the foliage of the plants to rest the
fruit upon. thus protecting it from the
damp and dust OF the soil others place
rows of wheaton straw along the beds or
borders for the same purpose. The use
of bricks is better than that of straw.
Again in some gardens the strawberry
beds are raised from two feet to two and a
half feet above the general level of the
garden. This is done by building neat
brick walls, two bricks in thickness, then
filling up with good soil. This can best
be made by mixing two parts rough forest
mould. one part fully decayed and re-
peatedly-turned farm-yard manure, and
one part fresh field soil. Stable manure,
unless quite cold and well mixed with
other fertilizers of a less heating nature,
is not good for the strawberry bed. Liq-
uid manure also is apt to render the
plants over-ylgorOus, and thereby to
run them all to leaf. As soon as the fruit
has formed, the harvest will be immense
ly incre ased by careful waterings given
every day that it does not rain Just at
sundown. The waterishould be quite soft,
and should have been exposed to atmos-
pheric influence for some hours. In the
raised beds spoken of small streams of
water are conducted about four inches
from the surface through mental tubes.
thence allowed to percoate through the
entire bed, and are again conducted to
proper outlet by similar metal pipes.
These underestimate watered beds require
to be built on an inclined plane sufficient
to slowly, but entirely, carry off the sup
ply of water, which again must be under
control as in wet weather IL iS not uapdad
The faults of the American strawberry
are that the fruit is too small and too acid,
and the harvest is too small and too rapid.
In many cases of illness, especially those
berry, when largely partaken of, is quite
medicinal in its effects, and is always
wholesome.
NOTICE.