The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-12-02
ARour Strawberries.


An. old saying reads: God might
have made better berry, but He
never did, Beautiful in form and COL
or, fragrant, delicious flavor, appealing
to every taste; the first fruit of the
year, when every one is craving fresh
fruits.
1t is a fruit which can be grown from
the Atlantic to the Pacific; can be
grown to advantage because it requires
neither many tools, much land, strength
or capital. Double the amout of ber-
ries would be planted if the people only
knew how simple the care and culture
required and how good it is to have
enough fresh berries to consume freely,
says Nurseries and Orchards.
The first thing to- be considered is
location. Select high, level land; if
too low the plants may be killed by
spring frosts; if too rolling it will wash.
Then remember that the strawberry
has ravenous appetite, therefore fer
tiFize well, using well rotted manure of
any kind. Wood ashes are good.
In preparing the ground, use a six
teen-inch plow, set as deeply as posi-
bic. If possible, follow with a sub
soil pillow to stir the ground to the
depth of eighteen or twenty inches.
This will overcome the drouth difficult
lty, one of the greatest drawbacks in
strawberry culture. And remember
that it is easier to cultivate in long
rows than in short ones.
OF course, you will want the best va
rietfes. Large size. beauty and firm
ness are essential in a shipping berry,
but they must also be of good quality
and productive. For home use quality
is all important. For your plants send
| to a responsible grower who is up with
!, the times, who understands the com
tparative value of the different kinds.
He will not furnish you plants from old
WORKOUT fruiting beds, but young,
| thrifty, well-rooted plants.
| Experience has taught us that plants
do best set out in October Drouth and
rains will so esta bnsh the plants In the
ground that they will start to growing
early in the spring.
| AS for winter protection, but little is
required. A handful of straw dropped
on each plant, with as much soil
thrown on tine outer edge of the straw
to keep it from being blown away by
the winds, is sufficient. Caution: Don t
smother with too much covering. In
the spring remove the covering and be-
gin stirring the soil around the plants
| y
sell plants, but want to sell and fill or
ders in the season when there is some
lcertaiuty of their growth. If you fail
to get plants set in October, don't
waste another year; don't say: MY
ground is not ready; L have not the
right place." but plant in April. the
next best time after early October.
Plants should not be allowed to be-
come dry before setting. AS soon as
| to1D
three plants ait a time, puddle roots
and heel in moist earth, a single layer
of plants, then an inch of soil, pressed
firm, covering the roots only. Set in
rows three feet apart, plants twelve
inches apart in the rows. Set with
crown or bud even with surface OF
ground, pressing earth firmly to the
roots. In fall set a 'trifie deeper than
in the spring. Roots should be Wadded
Up in bunch and crowded into the
ground, but be spread out In fan shape
and allowed to drop down full length
into the soil. If ground is dry, leave a
basin around each plant to hold half
pint water; when it has soaked away
level up with dry earth. Half the
leaves, the under and larger ones,
should be cut off as soon as planted.
Keep the ground mellow, and clean,
mainly with cultivators. and cut off
ali runners as soon as they start and
before they have time to sap the parent
plant A boy with knife can do 1t
rapidly. This strengthens the plant
and prepares it to bear a heavy crop
When the ground freezes, mulch with
straw or any coarse Hitter free of seeds,
barely leaving the plant in sight, thick
er between the rows, and don't touch
again until you go to- pick the berries
If too much mulch be put on, rake
back from the plant in early spring.
but leave enough to keep the fruit
clean.
Strawberry beds may be run three
wears. and the second and third crops
the largest and best by following this
plan. Soon as the crop is gathered,
closely NOW with sythe or moving ma
chine; after the weeds and leaves are
dry. set on fire and burn; then pillow ON
each side of matted row, turning under
all but about one foot In width The
burrows thus made, fill with fine rotted
manure; then start the cuitivator
Thin plants in matted rows with hoes,
and take special pains to cut cut all
1.-The weeds and old or weak plants.