The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-11-08

Choice of Soil and Location for straw
berries.

| Apropos of the strawberry planting sea-
son, Mr.. e. z. Roe, of Cornwall, whose
success with small fruits is well known, is
! contributing to Scribner several papers of
practical suggestions regarding strawberry
culture. From the first of these papers in
the November number we select these para
graphs:
The choice that Tobias Hobson imposed
on his patrons when he compelled them to
take ''the horse nearest the stable door" or
none at all, is one that often must be made
in selecting strawberry ground. We must
use such as " have or raise no berries. 1t
has been said that with no other fruit do
soil and locality make so great difference
and am inclined to think that while this
is truer of the raspberry, it is also thoroughly
established that location and native quail
ties of soil are among the first and chief
considerations in working out the problem
of success with Strawberries
1t is generally admitted fact that the
very best soil and the one adapted to the
largest number of vtrieties is deep sandy
loan, moist, but not wet in its natural
state All the varieties with which 1 am
acquainted will do well on such land if it is
properly deepened and enriched. Shall
the fact that we have no such soil and can
not obtain ii discourage us? Not at all
There are choice varieties of strawberries
that will grow IN the extremes of sand or
clay. More effort will be required, but
skill and information can still secure sue
cess; and advantages of location, climate,
and nearress to good markets may more
than counterbalance natural DEFICIENCIES in
the land. Therefore, if one finds himself
in an unfavorable climate, and shut up to
tho choice of land the reverse of deep,
moist, sandy loan, let him pit his brain
and muscle against all obstacles.
Let it be well understood that strawber-
ries can not BIO made to do well on ground |
exhausted by the roots and covered by the |
shade of trees. On many farms, and even |
in some gardens, there are several varieties
of soil and location, and by placing early
kinds on warm sunny slopes, and giving
late varieties moist, heavy land and cool
northern exposures, the season of this fruit
can be greatly prolonged. The advantage
Of this long-continued supply for the fami>
" is obvious. but it is often even more
important to those whose income is de-
pendent on this industry. 1t quite often
occurs that the market is ''glutted' with
berries for brief time in the height of the
season. II ones crop natures in the main
It such time. the one chance of the year
passes, leaving but small margin of profit,
whereas if the grower prolongs his season
~ a careful selection of soils as well as
'arieties, he may sell a large portion of his
ruit when it is scarce and high.
Climate, also is very important consid
ration. In the far North, sheltered situa-
ions and light warm land should be chosen
or the maiu crop, but in our latitude and
outward, it should always be our aim to
void that hardness and dfyness of soil
hat cut short the crops and hopes of SO
nany cultivators.
1t is also of vital importance that the
rut farm shonld be near good shipping
ABILITIES, and that there be sufficient popu-
ltion in the immediate vicinity to furnish !
ickers in abundance. 1t will be far bet q
or to pay a much higher price for land
ven inferior land-near village and c
abroad depot than to attempt to grow $
lese perishable fruits in remoter regions. t
water communication with the market is, $
course preferable TO any other t