The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1909-04-15
LESSONS IN ELEMENTARY AGRI.
7ss CULTURE,
(By G. w. Randlett, N. Oak, Agri-
cultural College.)

CULTURE.
(By G. w. Randlett, N. Oak, Agri-
cultural College.)
Lesson Five: Strawberry Culture.
1t is not necessary to 60 to Oregon
or Washington in order to produce
strawberries. A bed of good plants
we'll cared for in North Dakota will
produce plenty of fruit as choice as
that grown in any ether fruit section.
!, The culture of this excellent fruit
will prove very pleasant work for
boys and girls OF school age, and the
we'll kept patch will furnish table
luxury known only to those people
who are privileges to live a q farm.
Selection Of tls Plot-Choose a
piece of deep. rich. moist. we'll drained
soil. While it is essential that tho soil
be rich and we'll drained, 1t is equally
important that 1t be Of fine loamy
type. In q sandy cell the particles Of
soil grains are so large that they do
not hold the water we'll enough and
during the dry season the plants may
suffer from drouth.
Preparation Of the GrsuRd-The
ground should BE- thoroly spaded
or plowed to a depth Of not less than
six inches. An application Of thorou-
ghly rotted manure may be worked
in at this time which will supply the
necessary plant food. All plants like
animals must feed in order to grow.
Variety Of Plants There are great
many different varieties of strawberry
plants offered for sale. These all differ
more or less in manner of growth,
strength of root, tSaAency to produce
runners, size. siS- sslsr, favor OF
fruit, time of frusSr, ect. Some good
varieties for this sAte are Bederwood,
Warfleld, William BELT, and Senator
Dunlap The last H. the most popular.
How to Secure Rtants:-The Agri-
cultural College will furnish choice
pure bred plants of the Senator Dun
lap variety in small quantities for one
cent per plant post paid. These plants
are carefully selected and put up in
such way as to insure safety in
transportation, and are intended pri-
marily for the school boys and girls
of the state.
Orders may be collected and turned,
in by the County Superintendents for
the entire county, or may be collected
by the teachers for the entire school
or each pupil may order separately.
The orders should be sent in about
May list, and the plants will be ship
ped as soon as they have attained the
proper development. This varies with
ready for transplanting from the 10th
to the Goth of May. Send orders to
G. w. Randlett, Agricultural College,
N. Oak.
Planting-Stretch a line the long
way of the plot. With spade of hoe
hake holes at the side of the line two
feet apart. These holes should be alb
out four inches deep. Now make
small mound with the hands in the
bottom of the hole and over this little
mound spread the roots of the berry
plant. Place fine moist soil over the
roots and pack firmly. Sprinkle some
loose soil over the packed portion to
prevent evaporation. Now of the
crown of the plant is even with the
surface of the ground the plant is pro-
perly set. Place the rows four feet
apart. .
Observation-Disclosures thoroughly
with horse cultivator and hoe during
the entire first summer. This is nee
essary not only to destroy weeds but
to prevent the escape of moisture and
to keep the soil in good physical con-
dition so the plants may become
strong and vigorous for next seasons
fruiting.
DlVSSVuis anu AluuuCAS--A lew uO"-
ers will appear the first summer and
if allowed to remain will be followed
by few berries, but it will be better
for the plant if the blossom is picked
Off Allow the first four runners from
each plant to grow and train in the d.
rection of the row. Pinch off all that
Winter ProtectiOn-About the mid
die of November cover the entire plot
with straw to depth of about two
inches. More than this might smother
the plants. The straw will hold the
snow during the winter and afford
ample protection. 1t will also prevent
alternate freezing and thawing during
n