The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-08-15
HORTICULTURE
CULTIVATION OF SERAWB.
RIBS.

Correspondence Of the Progressive Farmer.
Sire berry growing is a pleasant
indusUry suited to the modern meth
DDS Of intensive soil culture. Some tx
periauced market gardeners get 1 900
bushels from an acre, nettingf from $500
to 81 600 q year. The plants are easily
grown and require less n than other
farm crops producing oDe-.enth the
income. The berries are healthtul
home necessities. appreciated by the
entire family, and no farm is complete
without a strawberry bed. There are
many good varieties, early, medium
and late. A description Of each may
be found in nursery catalogues which
may be had for the asking. Among
these generally grown are the Wilson,
James VIk, Captain Jack, Gregg,
Manchester, Magon and many more,
varying with the market demands and
fancies of individuals.
A deep, we'll draire d soil containing
moisture holding qualities is preferable
for strawberries, as the plants demand
considerable water coming from the
sub surface. The matted row or raised
bed system Of planting usually gives
the best satisfaction whGre the beds are
irrigated by running wafer through
the trenches, and left to stand several
hours to thoroughly soak from below
the roots. II planted on a slope, or over
a grRvelly u~ndersurface the drainage
carries aRay the surplus water, pre-
venting the soil from getting loggy or
foul from stagnant pools. AS the land
must be clean Of weeds, it is advisable
to use chemical fertilizers rather than
too much barnyard manu- A good
average fertilizer for strawberries
ehould contain about 3 per cent nitro
gen, 6 per cent. phosphoric acid and s
per cent. potash, of which from 800 to
LOCO pounds per acre and even more
a be applied with profit. The best
time to apply the fertilizers is before
spring growth begins go as to give
tnem opportunity to become thorough
ly dissolved and available to the plans
when needed.
In planting by the ridge method the
land ts laid CUT in beds about thirty
inches between burrows, leaving the
bitches six inches deep, and running
with the greatest slope of the field.
Two rows Of plants are set on each
bed, standing fifteen inches apart, leav
ing the irrigating bitches on either
side. These trenches act IS waterways
for carrying eff the surplus rainfall
and for irrigating in the arid sections.
The plants may be set in the fall,
August being a very good time, or any
OF the spring months will prove salts
factory transplanting seasons Altar
setting they must be kept moist for
several days to insure thorough root
ing.
Strawberry plants are male and fe.
male, and the grower must unders and
this popularity before putting out q
bed. The nurserymen catalogue those
having perfect and imperfect fowers
and will give explicit information if
requested. II one row or imperfect
plants has two or three perfect flower
ing kinds on either side it will bear
profusely. TIE vines must be planted
80 that the roots extend out as a as
possible with no curling or doubling
to get them in small holes. After
they have started to run the shoots
should be cut back to the original
plants. Winter mulching is profitable
In every climate, as it supplies fertility
and protects the plants from sudden
winter changes. Forest leaves make