The herald., 1897-02-20
Planting Strawberries

Land intended for berry planting this
spring should have been plowed before
now, so as to receive the full benefit OF
the splendid rains we have had; but II
it has not been turned over, do so at
once, so that all vegetation may be well
decomposed before the final plowing,
which should be given Immediately be-
fore planting. l like to have the land
freshly p.owed at planting time. All
grading and leveling should be done be-
fore the last piowing, which should be
run in the same direction as the rows
are laid out, so there will not be any
dead" furrows for the water to cross
in irrigating. If the dead furrows are
filled by turning two to four burrows
back into them, and the cultivator run
UP and down over them before the final
finish OF harrow and smoother, what lit
tie depression there may be will not both
or the summer irrigation work when the
water flows parallel and not across 1t.
In preparing your land do not neglect
to harrow well. 1t is as important as
plowing to get land into good filth, al
though many seem to think 1t waste
of labor judging from the noticeable ne
glect of this important part of preparing
lard for growing crops.
The use of the smoother is of no spe-
ciai advantage to the soil unless cloQGy.
but puts the surface in better order for
the mechanical part of planting, giving
a nice, smooth surface for sire etching the
lire, or, if the marker is used, enables
one to operate it more accurately; but
from actual experiment, l have found
q dead" surface, such as Is left by the
harrow, superior for retaining moisture
in summer to the slick" surface left by
the smoother.
Use a line or mark out the rows with
a light hand marker, but always be sure
they are straight, for nothing mars the
beauty of any growing crop so much as
crooked rows.
l prefer a spade for planting straw
berry plants 1t should be put down
straight and to the proper depth by the
SIDE of the line, or on the mark made
with the marker. The operator opens the
hole by pulling the spade backward suf-
ficiently to allow the roots Of the plant;
which are carried in a basket by boy
or active man. to be put in the ground
without doubling up or cramping, care
also being taken by the pantman not
to insert them too deep. The plant should
be grasped firmly with thumb and fin
gers just above the roots and held at
proper depth until the soil is pressed
firmly against the rcGts. by inserting
the spade a couple of inches from the
plant and pressing forward, finishing
the operation by pressure from the foot
of the operator. All of which can be
done very quickly after little expert
ence. This is the most satisfactory
method l have ever tried when there is
large plantation to be made.
t ! always remove all the leaves but one
or two of the center ones, and if the
roots are very long. cut them back to
three inches. l think the old leaves are
a detrlment to the plant while it is re-
covering from the shock of transplant
ing; they certainly evaporate moisture
ff.Fttt ha N1n Fac -t.,. !, I'll
of supplying it before the roots get hold
of the soil, the plant ofttimes dying or
making weakly growth for some time
after transplanting, while if properly
trimmed they will make vigorous
growth at once.
Irrigate and settle the soil about the
plants as soon as out, if not likely to
have rain in few hours after planting
If weather is warm and bright, do nor
neglect watering each days planting
as you go along.
AS TO distance apart for planting, there
is a great diversity of opinion among
growers. 1 like to give plenty of room,
unless you give high culture with abund-
ance of water. There is more danger
of too close planting than too far Plenty
of room means less irrigation and better
favored and finer fruit. While the other
method may give more fruit in some
instances, it will generally be at the sac
rifice of quality For large, strong stool.
ing kinds like the Arizona, 1900 plants
per acre is enough. AS to distance be-
tween rows and between plants in the
row, make it what suits your fancy but
allow as near six square feet to each
plant as is practicable. 1 known some
parties who put twice as many to the
acre, but l think it false economy; per-
haps q good thing for the nurseryman
who supplies the plants, but / am sure.
if quality of fruit and not quantity Is to
be a consideration, 1t is mistake to
crowd our berry plants, as much so as to
plant our fruit trees so close together, for
any plant or tree must have sufficient
root space as well as top room. The
question is to determine the maximum
that will be made good use of, not the
minimum that II can exist upon, then
govern ourselves accordingly. The ma
ture Of soil and varieties will also enter
largely into the probem.-D. O. Clark in
California Cultivator.
Fancy Farming