The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-06-26
About Strawberries.

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which they are produced, and the great
variety of soils and climates to which
the plants are adapted, make the fruit
a general favorite wherever it is known.
In this latitude, Strawberries are the
first fruit of the season, and ripening
as they do at the commencement of hot
weather, when the human system
Graves and needs a refreshing acid,
they are highly appreciated by every
one. 1t would be interesting to know
the number of bushels of strawb berries
that are usually consumed by some of
our large cities. The quantity is GER
tainly immense, and the commercial
value Of the strawberry crop doubtless
runs into the millions. But, on the
other hand, there are thousands of
families both in city and country that
seldom indulge in the luxury of a dish
of this fine fruit.
Every farmers garden should con-
tain strawberry bed. Many are de-
TERED from setting out the plants be-
cause they are ignorant of their culture
and think the trouble and expense re-
quired to produce the fruit are more
than it is worth. But this is not the
case. 1t requires only small outlay
OF labor and money to start and care
for strawberry bed, and that outlay
will be abundantly repaid by supplying
the table literally every day with this
delicious fruit during its bearing sea-
son. Straw berries are so easily grown
that there is no good reason why every
person having land suitable for produc-
ing good corn or potatoes should not
have an abundance of this fruit.
The best soil that could be named
for strawberries is probably deep,
rich, sandy loan; but almost any soil,
if properly prepared, may be made to
produce good crop of very fine ber-
ries. In starting q strawberry bed, il
the soil is not already rich, it should be
made so by apply ing some kind of ma
nure. If the soil is naturally heavy,
well-rotted barnyard or stable manure
should be used, which will make it
lighter and more friable. The ground
should be plowed or spaded as deep as
possible without mixing it with the sub
soil, and should be free from weeds.
Spring is generally considered the
best time to set the plants, though they
may be set with good results in the
fall; but when set in the spring they
will bear full crop the next season;
whereas, if set in the fall, but a partial
crop may be expected the next sum.
mer, and there would be more danger
from winter killing.
For garden culture, the plants should
be set in rows two feet apart, with
plants foot apart in the rows. KeeE
the soil mellow and free from weeds by
frequently stirring it with hoe Of
cultivator. When the runners star
they may be allowed to take root il
the rows, but not between them. Thu.
matted rows will be formed, with /.
space between for a path to stand il
while wedding or picking the fruit
Great care should be taken not to allow
the grass and weeds TO get started
among the plants; for if once they ge
a foothold, it is almost impossible tt
exterminate them without destroying
the bed. Mulching is of great advan
tage. especially Oh dry or bakey soils
The strawberry bed should be covered
in the fall with straw, leaves or coarse
manure for winter protection. In thu
spring the plants should be uncovered
the mulching removed and the soil be-
tween the rows and around the plant
loosened up with a spade or cult
vator. When the fruit begins to ripper
the ground should be mulched, that tn,
fruit may be kept clean.
In selecting strawberry plants to set
varieties should be chosen that are bes
suited to the soil in which they are t.
be planted. 1t is impossible to name
the varieties best suited to all soils anc
localities. A variety may do well OF
one kind of soil and in one locality, anG
fail almost entirely in another. Tht
best way is to try few of the kinds
that are the most highly recommended
and choose those that succeed the best
1t is unwise for any person to condemn
a variety as worthless because it re
fuses to do well on his grounds. The
strawberry season may be extended
considerably by selecting a number o.
varieties which ripen at different times
! thus making succession of early
medium and late.-Cor. Rural NesI
Yorker.