The Florida agriculturist., 1889-01-09
Volume XVI. No. 2. Whole No. 557.
For THE FLORIDA AGRfcULTuRIsT.
Strawberries in Florida.

OCrdWD6rr1eS IN FLORIDA.
Among the many varied industries of
Florida the cultivation of Strawberries
for Northern markets is becoming one of
great Importance 1t is already a source
of income to many Florida gardeners,
which would be seriously missed if it were
cut off. A business which puts from 800
600 to $50, 900 in cash into the hands of
the growers of each of a number of small
settlements in the State, within the short
space OF three or four months, is not to
be despised. The supply is increasing,
however, more rapidly than the demand.
Yet it is true of the strawberry business,
as of every other" there is room at the
top The demand for choice No. ripe
fruit, in good condition, always exceeds
the supply. Those who grow such fruit
and see that it reaches themarket in good
condition, always reap rich reward.
But those who sell culls and green or
over-ripe berries, often have a freight bill
to pay as the result of their carelessness
The art OF growing the best crop of No
/ fruit has not yet reached the point
where it can be called an exact science
There are no rules which can be published
with the assurance that if they are strict
ly followed the result is sure to be salts
factory. Yet without the observance of
certain conditions success is impossible
Ii they are complied with success is reat
sOnably sure, provided the season is not
too unfavorable.
In the selection of soil there is quite a
wide difference of opinion as to which is
the best suited to produce the most prof
liable crop of Strawberries In view of
the fact that a very large supply of water
is necessary to mature a good crop of
Strawberries, many growers prefer a
moist soil, either low hammock or well
drained fatwoods land. Others prefer to
drain the land thoroughly. Dig bitches
every twenty, thirty, or forty feet, as may
be needed. Make them from eighteen
inches to two feet deep according to the
amount of fall you can get. Plow the
lands between the bitches always towards
the middle, SO that they will slope gently
from the center to the bitches on each
side. On these lands set your plants in
such a manner that the crowns will be
even with, or perhaps little below, the
level of the surface of the soil. This ar
rangement gives all the advantages OF
the Tldged rows in time of flood In case
of severe drouth the drained beds do not
suffer SO soon nor so much as the bedded
up rows.
Il do not believe that it is possible to
make any ordinary Florida soil too rich
for strawberries. Whenever it is practi-
cable the native Floridian 'smethod of en-
riching the. soil (by cowpenning) is an
economical and very effectual means of
securing therequisite fertility. For straw
berries, however, should advise the ad-
dition OF from 400 to 600 pounds of pot
ash per acre to the cowpenned land be-
fore setting the plants. Ii it is not possi-
BILE to cowpen the land on which you wish
to set your Strawberries, the best substi-
tute is a liberal application of well rotted
stable manure. If no stable manure can
be obtained, make the compost of muck,
cotton seed meal, ground bone Tor acid
phosphate) and potash. Such compost
should be made several weeks (months
would be better) before you will need to
apply it to the land. If no muck is to be