Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-11
Fall Planting Of Strawberries.

| The soil for straw berries sbouId al
ways be rich and this is especially nee
essary for fall-set plants, as they cam
not send their roots to a great distance
in search of food in the short Time in
| when they have to grow. Old. well
| decomposed stable manure is excellent
and plenty Of it should be used. It is
| Well toapply it after the land is plowed
| ana then harrow it until the horses
have stepped on every square foot. If
| the bed be small. the manure can be
worked in with the hoe. If commercial
| fertilizer is to be used--I always de-
| pend on Tit may be scattered on the
| surface. near the plants as soon as
| they are set. If bone dust be used. it
| may be raked into the surface before
| planting. The soil should be made firm,
| before the plants are set This Will in
sure their bearing, and Will help keen
| them from being thrown out by the
fiost IT one is planting a large patch
which is seldom done in the fan IL IS
wei to roll the soil This not ONLY
makes the bed firm and smooth. but
also enables one to see just where the
surface is. ana To set the plants at the
proper depth. In planting a small bed
my plan is To stretch the line where
the row is To be and spat it down with
the hack of the spade. This gives a
si9ooth surface with the impression Of
tie line Tor a guide. II the soil be dry.
| cover the surface around the plants
with mulch Of some kind, and give
one thorough Watering. An excellent
pan IS 10 cut some grass when it is
short and green. and scatter it all over
TIC plants. This gives them shade lust
when they need il, and as the grass
dries up they become strong enough to
d. without shade. If one is using
ported plants il is a good way to have
the bed prepared some days in advance
ana hole made for each plant The
holes may be filed several times with
liquid manure which win soak into the
Soli and leave il in fine condition for
The plants. In using layers il is a good
nan to set them temporarily in loamy
soil where they can he Watered and
shaded for a week. Then. after a good
Watering, they can he taken up with
the soil adhering. These are as gooc
3 ppttod plants. If one wants ported
7 ants without paying heavy express
q argos. he can accomplish ii BY buy
il 8 layers and potting them as soon as
re ceiNed. They should then be placed
here they can be- watered and shaded
they need, until the roots reach the |
p2t. Three-inch pots are large enough. |
E the roots are too long. they may be |
shortened This method insures the |
Pants against receiving any check i'm |
uansplanting. which alone is enough !
t" commend it. After plants are set
Qey should be hoed so frequently that
Gn crust can form on the surface. nor
any weeds grow. 1t is a wise precau-
li1n TO give fall-set plants winter pro-
4 ction There is 50 much bare ground |
, tween them that they are liable to be
hoaved out. on sandy or gravelly soil
y here the drainage is good, there is
n danger Even on clay soil. the dan
& is diminished by having good sur
face drainage. and the soil well firmed
q ID also by setting the plants early
enough SO that they may become well
established before freezing weather
Horticulture.