West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-10-14

FId NXXIu-IN THE BLACKBERRY PATCH.
drained, in order that IT may warm
up quickly in the spring instead Of
remaining soggy for several weeks and
then baking hard. as undrained soils
are so liable TO do
Deep plowing, with thorough disk
Ing and narrowing. is necessary I'm or
der to get the land into the best con-
ditlon. Strawberries should follow
some cultivated crop which has been
kept free from weeds II Will then
be easier 10 prepare the seed bed, and
the patch VIII be freer from weeds and
Insects. Strawberries are particular
In their soil requirements, and a little
care in preparation will add greatly
TO the size OF the crop. Too little at
tention is given TO this most important
requisite. Many persons do not seem
to be aware that the strawberry IL at
all particular about the soil I'm which
II IS put AS consequence they pre-.
pare their beds without any reference
tU this essential factor In the success
OF their enterprise and, Of course. are
doomed to disappointment in the out.
come.
Varieties Of Strawberries.
Varieties OF strawberries are divided
into two general types-the perfect and
the imperfect lowered. The imperfect
contain only the female organs or pis-
ills, while the perfect sorts contain
both stamens and pistils The imper-
feet varieties can produce no fruit un-
less fertillzed with the pollen from the
flower OF n perfect variety 10 Is very
important that attention be paid To
this point I'm planting Many Of the
imperfect sorts possess points OF supe-
rioTity over the perfect varieties They
can be successfully grown by planting
every fifth row 10 n perfect lowered
variety. This row will furnish pollen
for the two rows on either side Of Il.
In setting out a bed IN this way care
must be taken 20 see that the two va
rieties come into bloom at the same
time
Perfect and imperfect varieties can.
not be told apart except when in
bloom. Then the absence OF the row
Of pistils around the petals marks tho
Imperfect sorts. Lists OF varieties Of
strawberries always specify whether
they are perfect or imperfect a rcii-
able nursergman can be depended upon
60 give you what you osk for. a list
OF the varieties best adapted to your
locality can be obtained from your ex-
pertinent station
The strawberry Is propagatod A1most
entirely by runners. At each joint in
the runner "a new plant appears and
takes root Only plants less than n
year old should be selected for plant.
ing The crown should not be too
large and the roots thick and long
The presence Of large woody roots
and n heavy crown indicates that the
plant is an old one III there are many
leaves it is well 90 pinch on one or
two Of the largest to correspond 20
the injury TO the root system
Planting Strawberries.
Spring planting is the most reliable.
but where the fan IS moist or the
patch can be readily watercd fan plant
ing gives very good results The two
important points in planting are
spreading the roots and packing the
dirt tightly about them Tho plants
should be set 40 the crowns are Just
level with the surface OF the ground.
Hills Versus Matted Rows.
Strawberries are grown both in hills
and IN rows. In the hin system tho
plants are set about three feet apart
The runners are cut on I'm order to
make compact vigorous hin. The
size and quality OF the berries are bet
.fer under the bin system, but the mat