The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-07-28
Have You a Strawberry Bed /!

IIdNt 1Ou OCFdMU6ffy DoU
From the american AgriculturiSt.
This. question is put to every
reader who has the land, and especi-
ally to every farmer, who, having the
land, is very apt to not have straw
berries. Without taking space to
inquire why the farmer, who of all
others should have an abundance, so
generally has no strawberries, we
put in our plea for his family, and in
sist that he shall provide them with
this excellent truit-not only few
as luxury, but an abundance. There
is just one time to make strawberry
bed, and that time is now Under
any circumstance a strawberry plant
must grow a season before it will
give crop; there is no way in which
plants may be set this spring and
give fruit the same season. 1t any
nursery agent" offers such-aont
buy them. Much that has been said
about strawberry culture has con-
eyed the impression that it is great
deal OF trouble; that runners have to
be cut off and much care given other.
wise, while in fact it is no more
trouble to raise strawberries, than it
is to grow carrots. But the cost? Is
very lttle-nothing compared with
the result in fruit. One can begin as
small as he pleases; If he cannot al
ford the outlay for a large bed, slet
him buy enough tor start and raise
his own plants. 1t makes no differ
ence where the farmer may be, if he
gets the american AgricmLtauist, he
can have strawberry plants-the mail
bringing both A dozen or hun
! bred plants come by mail, and when
one has even but dozen plants, his
strawberry future is provided for.
at is the first step that costs" is a
proverb. In this ssjt is the first step
which tells" While we have in view
especially the family comfort, it may
be we'll to consider that in most To-
calities enough berries can be sold
from the first crop to pay tor the
whole outlay-only don't sell and
let the family 60 without, but have
enough for both demands.
CHOW MANY SHALL I PLANT?"
Will be one of the first questions to
decide. An ordinary family should
have at least 200 plants, and gener.
ally 400 will not be found too many
if the fruit is used freely. 1t is bet
ter 10 provide for an abundance.
WHAT KINDS?
II restricted to one kind, we have
no hesitation in saying, Charles
Downing. If there are successful
strawberry growers in the vicinity,
find what does best with them and
plant the same kind. But we do not
advise planting all of one kind. II
400 plants are set there may safely
be four kinds. Charles Downing,
Monarch of the West, Champion and
Sharpless, would bea good selection,
but it may be varied and not go
amiss.
HOW TO PLANT.
Select a good bit OF soil, all the
better if 1t was in potatoes last year,
and if practically within sight of the
house, and prepare it just as you
would tor good crop OF cabbages
this means an abundance of the best
manure we'll worked in. Mark out
the rows two feet apart, three If a
cultivator is to be used, and set the
plants one foot apart in the row, us.
ing trowel to open the ground, and
when the plant is put in, crowd the
soil down firmly over the roots with
both hands. Thereafter run the Gull
tivator, hoe or rake, often enough to
make the soil mellow and keep down
the weeds. The plants will by and
by throw out runners; turn them
into the row and let them take root.
For the after treatment OF the bed,
consult IN about Work" at the
proper season.
RAISING PLANTS.
1t it is preferred to buy few
plants to start with and raise stock
to put out next year, set these two
feet apart each way, and let runners
form. Ashes are very useful to pro-
mote large growth OF runners.
Finally, plant strawberries-and do