Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1906-09-06
Fall Setting of Plants.

Fall Setting Of Plants.
Just now we are receiving so many
inquiries about the setting of straw
berry plants in the fall of the year that
we are convinced an article on the sub
ject will be timely and suggestive,
says Frank E. Beatty in the Strawber-
ry. We always have discouraged fall
setting Of Strawberries, because at that
time the plant is building up its fruit
bud system, and it should be left I'M
disturbed until this process of devel-
opment is completed. By the time this
is accomplished IT is entirely too late
to do the work. In fact, the develop
ment of the fruit bud is carried on in
the plant until growth is checked by
the coming of frost. Consider for
moment what it means to the plant to
| disturb it at the time when it requires
all its energies to carry it through the
strain Of development, and it will be
seen how detrimental TO the plant flu
ture power as fruit producer such
disturbance must be- In the fall, too
the plant is green, full of sap and inn
mature, therefore lacking in Vitality
And as the plant must live for many
| days after being taken up ON the vital
| ity it contains, it is important that its
vitality at setting time should be at it's
highest. Thus plant in the fall be-
fore it is perfectly developed, has not
sufficient stored-up vitality to overcome
the shock of transplanting and carry it
through the work of taking firm hold
upon the soil of its new home
Some years ago when l was engaged
in strawberry growing in Indiana, and
Illinois a friend came to me to get sew
eral thousand strawberry plants for fall
setting and I advised him by all means
to postpone the work until spring. fully
explaining to him why this was the
better. His reply was that he wanted
2, to get started in business right away
and was determined to have.the plants.
But | showed him that fall-set plants
would not hasten the day of fruit pick
ing at all, and said to him II would
like to fill your order, but if I do I'll
get all the benefit and you will not get
your money worth.
II am willing to take all the chan
ces, replied the neighbor, and the
upshot of it was sold him the plants,
and they We're beauties, too, ] had no
patent process for putting vitality in
to plants more than nature herself
could SO, and the result as | had
outlined. A large percentage of the
plants failed to take hold, the neigh
Dor became discouraged and quit the
business, and 70 this day doubtless
looks upon strawberry production as
a poor way to increase fortune.
And the fall setting of plants is
quite unnecessary Even from the
south, where for years it was believed
that spring set plants would not live
we are. now receiving letters from
members of our school speaking of the
success of their plants which were set
in the spring.
To be sure, in the extreme south, and
other localities where there is no win
ter w1tthy the name, and where the
plants continue to grow throughout the
twelve months, Strawberries may be
successfully transplanted during the
early winter months. And in the north
circumstances frequently arise when
some fall setting in necessary. For in
stance, plants set in the spring have
failed in places, or where insects have
destroyed certain plants-in such cases
as these plants may be taken up from
a row to fill the vacancy thus created.
But even in this work great care must
be taken to do the work just after 8
brain, and while the soil is full of mois
ture, so that a considerable quantity OF
soil may adhere to the roots when re-
moved, which, to certain extent
will prevent check to the growth OF
the plant.
But to take plant from its bed ant
ship it long distance during this pc
Rod of its existence would be very
hazardous, indeed, and we know it t.
: be poor horticultural practice to SCI
plants in the fall, practice sure t.
bring disaster, sooner or later, to thOs,
, who follow it.
Just a word to those who are in {
rush to get into the growing of berries
Employ the energy you purpose put
ting into the fall setting of plants il
scattering manure and getting the Ian,
in fine shape for the reception of plant
next spring. This is the true AM
practical way TO rush things.