Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-09-06
ALL ABOUT THE STRAWBERRY.

iisl WITH LtlttO d liN-t. ii4 tOiii
pliance with their request, we would stat
that the strawberry belongs to the ros
family in botany Its generic name i
Fragaria, from fragro "a sweet odor)
There are several species in cultivation. bu
most, if not al, the varieties cultivated il
this country are from the American species
known to science IS Fragaria virginiana.
The varieties under cultivation are mum
erous, some well adapted 10 certain region:
OF our country and some to others. There
are few varieties well adapted TO ali regions
Of our country. The variety coming ncarel
to this characteristic than any other IS the
Wilson'S Albany, perhaps. 1t is not re
earGed as an extremely high-class berry,
but IS passably good. This and another
variety called the Neunaa are the berries
most extensively grown b. the market
gardeners and truck farmers of the South.
Or. i. Cemler, an extensive Georgia
truck farmer, treating on the requirements
Of market strawberry, states n his cH-
ce.!en. book, Truck Farming FOR the
South, pace 300, tha, they are:
First, Is a3aptabiHiy 10 or climate.
Second, prOdEclIyGEcsS. Third, fair size.
Fourth. sufficient firmueSs to enable ii 10
endure III. rough handling and delay 81
trans r,atiOp without injury, so that II
may arrive IN market in a good preSenta0le
appearance and condition The old Wilson
Albany and the NeunlU meet these CUuGl-
items better than Others. The latter IS 4
more attractive and better Favored berry,
& more productive Of summers, and is rap
idly surersediug the Wilson Is the South
ern market variety.
our own experience with these two Der
ries, in Alabama. has shown them standing
Z little different from the way they are
made 10 appear BY Or. OcmLer. Like Dr..
Oem!er, W. have found them the best
market berries that could be raised in the
South, for both local and district trade, but
with Us the Wilson has always proved the
better berry of the two, though tho Neuuau
las been tie most prolific, and capable Of
standing more rougl usage than the other
i has not shown up as quite so large 4
berry IS the Wilson
Having already referred 10 DR.. Oemler
we may as well draw upon him further for
the best Southern methods Of cultivating
the straw ocrry-thcre could be no better
Southern authority. The strawberry, he
says, wants Il comparatively moist soil
through its growing season. The plant IS
very deep-rootcd, its roots having been
traced 10 the depth OF four feet. The straw
berry always does best under irrigation,
10 matter what the rainfall may be II
needs moisture regularly. OF course it
VIII usually do fairly wen without irlira-
roE, but irrigation brings it I'D 10 It's very
best Surface watering by hand is imprac-
ticable where the crop is grown on a large
scale; besides his character OF watering
does not give fun satisfaction The soil
should be made damp well down, though
}oT-lvinq and naturally damp situations
VII not do 80 depend upon unless suscepti,
be OF deep drainage. We quote, page 2+2:-
\ wcll-draiued, deeply stirred. friable,
more or less Clarey or !oamy soil, with
plenty OF vegetable matter. viii be more re-
iautive of moisture. and more suitable than
any other. # there be- any choice of ICca-
Ton. northern. open exposure IS TO be pre-
ferrat
4 light. sandy soil, although it will ma
ruIe the earliest fruit, VIII produce smaller
berries. the picking season VIII be much
shorter, AMI the entire crop stands chance
OF being killed out the FIRST summer BY
crouth. This summer killing IS the chief
draw back 10 strawberry culture in the
South.
II stable manure is 10 be used Is 4 feTtil-
Ter. The lighter the land the more necessity
that tue manure suould be thoroughly rot
ed. lest the plants grow 10 vine n The eN-
ncuse Of The fruit This IS more likely 10
.-cur II the South than in q cooler climate.
and heavier applications Of manure are
therefore most practicable NJ the North.
While large guam itIca OF strong NATURES
are not necessary on already fertile clay
soils. such soils cannot contain 700 much de-
cuyed vegetable matter.
DR. Oemler then goes on 10 state mat the
land for the strawberry patch must De
deeply broken and thoroughly pulverized
II manure : 10 be applied it should De
broadcasted after blowing. and then worked
ilco- the soil by 4 second blowing
The first blowing should extend 10 tearing
Up o. the subsoiI by following the turn
g.ow in each furrow, with bulI-tongue or
scooter Finish up by cutting everything
Is fine Is possible with some kind OF suit
able harrow.
There are three methods Of planting the
strawberry. Oae IS known as the matted
bed method. another as the single row or
Grill method. and the third rs the single hill
method. The TWO methods first named are
he methods most common At the North
while the third method is The one almost
Universally rrso.tca To in the South; i IS,
therefore Tie method that we shall proceed
o describe on TIL authority Of Dr. Ocmler.
Tie land having been thoroughly pre-
pared aud left entirely -eyei Is 10 ridges. it
IS laid of in straight rows from three to
hrce and half feet apart. The straw berry
growers aUow Mobile, Ala. lay then rows
four feet apart The rows may be arranged
with = garden line. or more expeditiousIy
oy means Of wheel. upon the rim of which
IS fixed knobs or pins at certain regular dis !
tanre% The impression Of the rim upon
he soft soil marks the rows, while the i'm |
pgessious Of The pins show where 10 set the |
plants The wheel IS fixed between handles |
n the plan Of seed-driu or wheelbarrow. |
aud has standard in front from which the |
user can sight TO stakes ahead to enable i
MIN 10 keep the row entirely straight The
plants are set from twelve TO eighteen |
Inches apart il the row, depending on soil |
loser On good soil, further on light soil
Strong ana wc.l-rooted plants of the same |
seasons growth are 10 be set ont if the |
planting is I fail operation; If a spring
operation they must be plants Of the pre- I
,ediry summers growth. pIauis no older /