St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-01
Some Points on Strawberry Culture.

While on visit to one of our parishes
a short time since, we found upon inquiry
that the majority of the fruit consumed in
the neighborhood was purchased In New
Orleans. The circumstance struck US as
being somewhat peculiar, as the soil of
the parish, although of an alluvial nature,
was high and well drained, conditions ar
ticular favorable for growing fruit, both
large and small We also found that there
was general spirit of inquiry abroad,
evoked to certain extent by the numer-
GUS articles upon this subject which have
appeared from time to time in the columns
of the Times Democrat. In answer to the
many questions asked the agricultural
editor we will briefly remark that it is
too late to attempt to plant Strawberries
this season, but preparations, may begin
for the next.
Now, as the strawberry loves clean
and rich bed, shading the soil during the
summer is the best PREPARATION, for the fol-
lowing reasons First, you get rid OF
most of the noxious grasses and weeds,
which interfere with clean culture ; next
the dense shade prevents evaporation of
ammonia and other fertilizing substances
from the soil and when you are ready to
found mellow and easy to cultivate.
need not say that for this purpose
nothing excels the COW pea. Sown broad
cast in May, or during the month of June,
they will cover the earth so completely
that no ray of sunlight can enter.
The sweet potato vine also furnishes
dense shade for the soil, and piece of
ground after the tubers have been re-
moved will be found in good condition.
An old field thickly grown up in Cookie
burs-if the weeds are removed and de-
stroysd before the seed ripens-is excel
lent. The castor bean, when planted
thickly, shades, renovates and enriches !;
in fact, anything that will furnish protec-
ton from the sun and light.
WHEN TO PLANT.
There is time for everything, and a
time to plant the strawberry. 1fthe vines
parent bed and transported without per-
hitting the roots to become dry; if the
usual rains prevail, and one is prepared to
water, or even shade his plants until they
become established, the month of August
is an excellent one to set out the straw
berry. The advantage gained is that they
those set during the month of October OF
| November. OF course, this is not prac-
ticable on large scale.
If one is compelled to obtain plants from
! a. distant point, it is always better to wait
| until cool weather, say November, when
| the strawberry will have formed plenty
| of ibrous roots when it will grow with
| but little care and no difficulty at all.
VARIETIES
| With most persons strawberry is q
| strawberry, but there is big difference
| in quality. We consider the variety locally
known as the Imperial the best table
berry in existence. Hoffman's Seeding is
good, and so is the Sharpless. These,
with the Wilson and Sucker State, the
Longworth and many other varieties are
bisexual that is, they bear perfect bios
SONS hence produce fruit without out
side fertilization. Among the pistillates,
| Buhach No. 5, Clouds Seeding, Man
chester, Mary Stewart, Crescent and many
| other varieties which need to be planted in
close proximity to perfect plants, or they
| will not bear fruit. The latter, as rule,
are very prolific if well fertilized. There
| is no difficulty whatever in procuring these
long tried and reliable varieties at small
cost, ranging from 81 to 81 per thousand
plants. Order always from grower OF
scotsman who has reputation at stake,
and you will be more apt to receive then
true to name.
Do not become infatuated with tht
splendid Autographs in the catalogues Of
certain new varieties at fabulous figure!
Der dozer or thousand, and which may o.
may not be as good as hundreds of thu
other ones.
To conclude, we know of no good rea
SON why every farmer, not only in Louis
lana, but through the entire Gulf States
should not grow an abundance of this de
licious and healthy fruit, at least for hom
consumption IN. o. Times Democrat.