The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-09-21
for the farmer.
RAISING strawberries FROM SEED.

One of the great drawbacks in raising various
fruits from seed for the purpose of introducing
new varieties is the time required before they
bear. This, however, does not apply to the
straw berry, for we have gathered bushels of
fruit from plants eleven months after sowing the
seed from which they were raised. These were
produced in the following manner: When the
fruit is thoroughly rpened, the berries are bruis
ed and the seeds washed out from the pulp as
carefully as practicable. This operation may he
greatly facilitated by pairing thinly the outer
surface of the berry, which of course includes
the seeds; by this means the larger portion of
the pulp of the berry is rejected and but very
little of the pupy matter is retained if carefully
managed. Ii is now washed and separated in
water, which will allow a greater portion of the
pulp to be hoated or skinned off, The seed are
spread thinly on paper and dried in the shade.
When dry, the seeds and adhering pulp are rub
bed between the fingers and thrmb. which will
separate them ready for sowing. Shallow boxes
that hold about three inches in depth of soil are
the most suitable. These are filed with any
kind of light sandy soil, which is carefully and
firmly pressed dnring filling, and the surface
made smooth and level. The seeds are then
properly distributed over the surface, and CO.
yered with light sprinkling of sand-merely
enough to barely cover the scotland the whole
surface pressed evenly and solidly with wood
en- block or common brick. Above all things
deep covering of the seed is to be avoided. The
boxes are now placed in a shaded position, such
as may be found on the north side of a wall, OF
board fence, or hedge, and covered with boards
until the seeds yegetate. The surface of the
soil should be kept moist, and, unless the wea-
Their is very dry, but few applications of water
will be required before the young plants appear,
which will be in the course Of three or four
weeks, or less with some of the seeds. The COW
ering greatly prevents drying, and obviates the
necessity of frequent waterinCs, which have
tendency of disturbing the seeds
As soon as the young plants appear they re-
quire to be fully exposed at night, although par
tial shading from the bright sun will assist their
growth. Any covering during night is injurious,
clOseness at that period will inevitably cause
the young plants to decay, OF dampen off at the
neck of the tender stem. IL is well TO protect
them from dashing rains at night when it On be
done. But when fully exposed even heavy rains
will not cause damPening off, although the
plants may be badly bruised and beaten down.
As soon the roots are formed the young
plants should he carefully lifted, separated, and
replanted, either in boxes prepared as for the
seed, or in sheltered place in the open ground,
where the soil can be specially prepared for them
by being properly pulverized, smoothed and
firmed as recommended for the seed boxes.
The plants are now set in rows two inches
apart-the distance between the plants shonld
not be less than this; The soil can be settled
around the roots by good watering and they
will be benefited by shading from bright sun
fov few days until they start again to grow
At no time should they be allowed to suffer for
water, and no covering given night or day.
About the beginning Of September, [premising
that the seeds were sOwn Us soon rs they were
ripe, which would not be later than the end of
June) the plants will be large enough for per-
manent planting. The soil being in good con
dition, fully MANFRED and pulverized the plants
now to be lifted with a small hall of soil at
tached to the roots. Running a sharp knife be-
tween the rows will help to separate them and
secure earth to each plant. Set them in rows
three feet apart, and allow eighteen inches from
plant TO plant They will make good sized
plants before winter, and form numerous flower
buds for fruiting the following summer. Protect
them during the winter, in climates where the
thermometer goes down to zero, by slightly COW
ering them with straw or unrotted manure for
even the hardest plants will produce better
when protected from the winter. Managed in
this way fruit is produced in less than twelve
months from the time of sowing the seeds; and
if the various details Of transplanting, &c. have
proved favorable to constant and uninterrupted
growth, the crop produced will be quite large.
The quality of the fruit should not be deter
mined by the first crop; but the second years
growth and fruitage will exhibit the normal
qualities of the plant, and until this 10 aseer-
tanned all runners should be removed.