The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-06-24
miscellaneous.
STRAWBERRY CULTURE,
A PAPER READ BEFORE THE
STARK COUNTY HoRTICULTU-
RAJ SOCIETY,
Al Their Meeting on the Stark County Fair
Grounds, June o, 1880, by Mathew Crawford.


The fact that there is great pleasure in
the cultivation of the strawberry is sc
we'll established that any effort to prove
it would be a waste of words. That ii
must also be profitable as a business is
clearly shown by its rapid increase.
Fifty years ago no strawberries were
known in the markets, even of our large
eastern cities, except wild ones. Now
they are supplied by the wagon load, ca
load, and boat load, and the bushels are
counted by the thousand, ten thousand,
and hundred thousand. No statistical
tables have been compiled showing the
magnitude of this industry, but a few
items will give some idea of its vastness.
The late ]. Knox, of P%ittsburg, some
years ago sold $4,000 worth of berries
from one days picking Of the JuCunda
alone.
Mr., Young, of Norfolk, Va, has $50
acres in berries this year. This is said to
be the largest strawberry farm in the the
world.
A correspondent in California writes
me that he has grown 5000 bushels in
one year for the San Francisco market.
But those growers who raise this fruit
in such immense quantities are not the
ones who experience the most pleasure
in its cultivation. Those who engage in
the business on a small scale, just for the
love oft, and cultivate a few rods in the
garden are the ones who take the great.
est delight in it, and it is by such that
nearly all our finest varieties have been
originated. They also raise most of the
prize berries, for they cultivate them not
as an article of merchandise, having a
money value, but as pets to be cherish.
ed with care, and made as perfect as
possible.
1t would, without doubt, be advisable
for every one who has a garden to plant
strawberries as he would flowers, for the
pleasure Of it, but there are other in
ducements, among which is the comfort
of having them good and fresh for home
use. Although it is true that our mar.
kets are we'll supplied with berries and
that the prices are low, it is equally true
that the finest kinds are never found in
the market, nor can any kinds be bought
in as good condition as they can be had
at home.
1t is also convenient to have a supply
at hand, instead of going to the store or
market for them when wanted. Many
~housekeepers are &c situated that this
would be a great annoyance, and no
doubt all would appreciate the advanta.
ges ofhaVing plenty in the garden.
Then, too, it is economical to raise a
family supply, and this is an item not to
be overlooked when considering the in.
t%erests of the masses. 1t saves the out
lay Of money which would be required
to buy berries, and even a small sum
each day for several weeks is worth
saving. This is especially true when the
saving, instead of Diminishing the com.
forts of the family, is the means of in.
creasing them for the supply is almost
certain to be more abundant when
raised than when bought.
Besides its being pleasant, convenient,
and economical to raise strawberries in
town gardens it can also be made profit.
able. The cost of planting is small, and
most mechanics and business men have
leisure time sufficient for the cultivation
OF not only a supply for home use, but
also a liberal surplus, which sells readi.
iy and often yields surprising returns.
Six years ago we lived in town and
had a lot containing a quarter of an acre.
We had ten rods in strawberries, and
about half of them were seedlings that
produced only a small crop. From the
whole bed we picked ten bushels of ber-
ries.
1t has been my good fortune to be-
come acquainted with an old gentlman
in Canada, who yet lives on the farm
where he first settled over forty years
ago, when all was a wilderness for many
miles. A few years since his health
Jailed, and for months he was a helpless
invalid. On his recovery he surrendered
the farm to his son, and commenced the
cultivation of the strawberry as an
amusement. He has been remarkably
successful and now has perhaps the
finest collection in Canada. Last season
he sold over sixty bushels from half an
acre.
The wants Of the strawberry are few
and easily supplied, and are the same
whether they are grown by the acre or
in q small bed. The soil should be cool,
moist, and rich, and the plants should
have room to grow without being crowd.
ed. They should receive such protec-
tion in winter as will prevent their be-
ing injured by frequent freezing and
thawing.
The best soil for the strawberry is the
best you have. 1t is not 80 much the soil
as the cultivator. Dayton is not neCessa.
rily the best place for raspberries, nor
Delaware for grapes. 1t makes but little
difference what the soil is, provided it is
put in good condition and kept so as far
as possible, The best natural soil, how
ever, is a sandy loan, and the nearer any
other approaches to this the better. It
should be pulverized to as great a depth
as possible without bringing up any poor
subsoil.
Nearly all large plantations are set in
the spring, and the earlier the better,
using only plants of the previous sea.
sons growth They may, however, be
set in the summer or fall, as soon as
young plants can be obtained. 1t is i'm
/ nnnt0nk thai khn ANaAa L.. l@-k r. l.
ing while out of the ground. In planting,
press the earth firmly about the roots,
but see that the crown is not covered -
Two feet apart each way is a good dis.
lance to plant, The blossoms should be
cut off the season they are planted, and
the runners at all times. This will
cause the plant to become large and
strong. The soil should be stirred often
enough to keep down the weeds, and to
prevent a crust from forming on the sur.