The Florida agriculturist., 1907-12-04

not unless you grow a good supply of
strawberries for home use. 1t is rather
late for this season, but as an old say
ing has it, "Better late than never"
1t is not too late as we know from ex-
perence Last fall, owing to the
drouth, we could not set out our straw
berry plants until quite late in Decem-
Der, and then it was still so dry that
they grew very slowly, yet we had a
good manv very enjoyable dishes Of
berries from that bed The following
directions from the Progressive Farm
er are all good:
For one who has not failed single
season in thirty-hve years to enjoy a
bountiful supply of strawberries, it
seems little strange that so many
country and village people make no at
sibly the reason may be found in the
fact that comparatively few know how
easy it is to grow strawberries.
The strawberry is clay-loving
plant, but it will adapt itself to al
garden vegetables. Not few who
grow only for home use make the
serious mistake of planting on very
rich soil and of adding large quanti-
ties of manure, as if preparing for
cabbage or asparagus. Such soils re-
quire constant attention to keep down
grass and weeds, and produce over
grown, sappy plants more inclined to
vine than to fruit. Beginners had
better select soil of only medium fer
tility. Plants set during November
and December should produce quite
a nice quantity of fruit the follow
ing spring. The sooner planting is
done after the first fall rains the bet
ter.
AS a setting should occupy the land
from two to four years, the soil should
be deeply broken, thoroughly pulver-
lied and left in slightly elevated rows
three to three and one-ha1f feet apart.
Be careful not to expose the roots to
sunshine and wind The setter should
follow Immediately behind the dropper.
In setting plants spread the roots
we'll and press firmly about them nicely
pulverized soil, leaving the center bud
just little above the surface Better
plant a little shallow than too deep.
For fall settings when fruit is wanted
the following spring, plants may be
placed twelve to fourteen inches apart
in the row. In spring paintings give
twice this distance. Five hundred to
1000 plants should suffice for the
family planting. Many good varieties
might be named; but after repeated
trials with more than one hundred
kinds, we can suggest nothing better
for home use than KlOndike and Lady
Thompson. They are nearly as earlv
as the earliest. and hold on Drettv well
with the latest; easy to preserve
stand with both kinds.
Cultivation does not differ materia1-
ly from that required for the average
garden vegetable: No specific set Of
GENTLY often to keep the soil in good
condition and free from grass and
weeds
Little, if any, winter protection need
be given. Upon the apr zach of freez
ing weather, howeevr, it is a good plan
with newly-p1anted beds to place a
light covering of ha1f-rotted leaves or
straw about the plants. This is es-
pecially advantageous on clay soil
Without protection on such soils,
freezing and thawing frequently lift
plants from the soil, leaving the roots
more or less exposed In placing the
mulching material about the plants, be
careful not to cover the foliage too
heavily. The centre bud should not be
covered at ALL This mulch aids also
in keeping the fruit bright and clean
1t is best not to disturb the soil after
+hev beoin to show signs Of fruiting.
ANY grass and weeds that may appear
NAV he hard-weeded or left a1Ona nm