The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-05-19
FARM NOTES.
Edited by John c. Edgar, Duval, to whom all
communications for this column should be ad-
STRAWBERRIES.

STRAWBERRIES.
70 the Agricultural Editor of The Statesman:
Will you give short article on the
general treatment of the strawberry
planting, culture, irrigation, runners
and their treatment, propagation,
preparation of beds, etc.
KYLE. w. w. HAUPT.
Strawberries demand rich, moist
soil. AS rule sandy loan is the
best, but some varieties do best on
clay or clay loan. The one rule
without exception is rich soil. Natur-
al fertility must not be relied upon,
but supplemented with other fertiliz-
ers, we'll rotted stable manure and
unleached wood ashes in sufficient
quantity will be more profitable than
any commercial fertilizer. Some prac-
tice blowing the manure under, but
since the introduction of the Getaway
harrow many successful berry grow
ers plow first, then spread the ma
nure on the surface at the rate of 40
or so loads to the acre and then
harrow in with cutaway. After the
enriching OF the soil the next most
important matter is the preparation of
the beds by system of thorough pull
verization. Planting may be done in
the spring or in the fall. In this eli
mate the fall is generally selected.
The earlier the planting when the sea-
son is favorable, the better. If done
in the spring hoed crops, such as let
tuce, onions, beans, etc , can be plant
ed between the rows. Weeds and
grass must be kept down and the sur
plus crop removed before the young
runners start. The ashes should not
be applied till the early spring growth
begins, and then at the rate of 100
bushels to the acre.
For field culture they should be
planted Ak feet and cultivated each
way till the runners have started,
when they should only be cultivated
the four-feet way, allowing the run
ners to bee me matted. For garden
cultivation, eighteen inches apart
each way will be sufficient. If the
planting is done in the spring, all
blossoms should be removed. The
plants should be as little as possible
exposed to sun and wind at time of
planting. 1t is good plan to dip the
roots in water just before putting
them in the soil; but great care should
be taken not to wet the tops. The
beds should be made fine by pressing
or rolling after planting.
POTATO CULTURE.
The extremely dry weather of the
past two months has been very pre-
judicial to garden plants and pota-
toes, except where irrigation could be
practiced. AS this is only practicable
on small scale in this section, the po-
tato crop promises to be late and light.
The deficiency in rain can, however,
to great extent, be compensated foI
by tillage, if done at the right time,
and also by method of planting.
The old fashion of killing or ridg-
ing potatoes is fast becoming
obsolete, as experience and
very close observation has
shown that deep planting and Level
: cultivation give the best results, by
conserving the moisture. The potato
is "water CROP" that is, composed
largely of water, and without full
allowance of moisture it cannot attain
full development. But while it's APP.
petite for water is large it cannot
thrive with wet feet. Itshould there
fore be planted on we'll drained, but
moist soil. 1t is a rapid grower and
must have it's food supply during
period of growth of tubers or they will
be dwarfed.
The formation and development Of
the tuber rarely exceeds six weeks
and it is during that time that food
should be readily available. A crop Of
300 bushels or 1900 pounds contains
$500 pounds of solid or earthly matter
and IL, 800 of water. This shows the
necessity for water within reach ofthe
roots. These roots, when given fair
chance, will travel far in search OF
food and moisture.
That chance is found in a warm,
mellow loan which has been early
and deeply plowed, and got into a
fine filth before planting. Potatoes like
a tree yielding soil in which to spread
themselves and breath. Where this
condition of soil does not naturally
exist, it should be produced by lib
| Ol OIL >5ppIlC0ulOh Vi WILL lOtUOA AhcAi
ure and thorough cultivation, espec-
tally before planting. Deep cultiva-
ton is injurious to roots, and not
needful when the soil has been prop
erly prepared. In fact, when that
has been done, all that is needful is to
scratch the surface about two inches
deep to kill weeds and form mulch.
Where this has been practiced the
crop has not been seriously injured by
the dry weather.
DR.. LEMON.
Squeeze him into a glass of water
every morning and drink him with
very little sugar, says the New York
Herald. He will keep your stomach
in the best of order and never let Mr..
Dyspepsia, whom he hates cordially,
get into it. If you have dark hair,
and it seems to be falling out, cut off
slice of the doctor and rub him on
your scalp. He will stop that little
trouble promptly Squeeze him into
quart of milk and he will give you a
mixture to rub your face night and
morning until you get a complexion
| I;Iro N ,or;,oacc Do,1r hi,o ;nto M