The state herald., 1909-01-01
STRAWBERRIES
IN COLORADO
VALUABLE CROP WHILE FRUIT
TREES ARE REACHING
BEARING SIZE.
GOOD HOME MARKET
TWO HUNDRED TO FIVE HUN.
DRED OR EIGHT HUNDRED
CRATES TO THE ACRE.

Among the earliest and most sue
cesiul ventures In fruit growing in
Coorado was that OF strawberry rails.
ing writes B. o. Longyear of the Colo.
rAd Agricultural College. This plant
has been found well adapted to irriga-
ton fruit growing in this state, espec-
tally when the right varieties have
been selected. And, although the straw
berryis best adapted to soils OF some
what andy character, still some high
yields ave been secured from compar-
ativelyheavy land
The tiawberry has been most sue
cessfulll grown in the regions where
the ape succeeds best. Strawberry
growing has been largely practiced in
these resiols on account of the quick
returns ;lt because Strawberries can
be gronI between the rows OF young
trees par ut the time until the lat
ter comeln Tito bearing. This, together
with the hct that Strawberries are,
in ordinary seasons, a remunerative
crop. make Il one of the best to use
while waithg for the trees to reach
bearing size
1t is only ID years of exceptionally
heavy crops hat there is anything ap-
preaching ovJproduction of this fruit
in Colorado, and during later years
the supply hs come far from sup
plying the hole markets. The most
extensive grovlg of strawberries has
been done in te regions near Canon
city, Denver, Bllder. and Longmont,
in the eastern districts. and in the
counties of Mea and Montrose, on
the Western slCe. Many other dis.
tricts are undou.adly adapted to this
crop. at least tho where other fruits
can be grown.
The varieties lst adapted to Colo
rado are not neessarily those that
succeed In other egions. Compare.
lively few are grpn on a CONNER
cial scale. althous numerous varie-
ties have been an are being tT,d. :
The Bederwood has been gown more
extensively in the Caion~ City region
than any other and h is still the lead.
ing commercial sort here. Captain
Jack and LUCINDA us most com.
monty grown in the D,nver and Col.
den regions. while farher north the
Senator Dunlap, RideHay. and WnA
liam Belt are perhaps the leading
kinds. 1t is hardly vurth while TO
recommend particular varieties for
certain localities. howeyf. as soil. ard
to some extent climatk conditions.
may vary quite widely within com
paratively limited areas.
Any land nearly leve or with
gentle slope which is adapted to
other orchard crops can be used forl
strawberries. Such Lane may cos
from $3.50 10 $500 or moe per acrI
II improved. depending hrgely upr
its location. In fact. Ian valued at
$1,000 per acre is being u,ed for this
purpose in some places. IN acre of
Strawberries In favorable season
and on suitable land may Yield from
200 to 500 crates per ace, and as
high as 500 crates have leen taken
from this area In a single s,ason. An
average price per crate 1, not fal
from 81. although In SEASONS oi
scarcity the grower may receive M
high as $3.50.
The estimated cost OF slowing nj
acre OF strawberries, con-. Gna;66D
Colorado. is about $500 to 4
growers consider that II
good years about one.hsle
turns is profit. We'll mana,
tations commonly bring $500
for the crop. and this is Of
ceded under especially zoo,
With the exception Of harvesti
man can tend about five acl
strawberries.
In estimating tho cost and p,N
In this business II must 10 rel
bered that the first crop canno
harvested until the second nom
ting. After this annual crops 4
be gathered as long ns tho pl
continues productive. from two
four years on good land After
ing off the last crop the plnnts
turned under and some late ID
or truck crop is planted, 80 thl
land does not lie Idle dur'ng.>
mainder OF the season.
During the past few soai
berry growing has receive
able discouragcmeut on
the dry winters. But M N
ter which is not likely
Indefinitely, and - prices
exceptionally high. the q,
strawberry raising IN N,
the careful grower appoarf
good. n
rubeseuiosIs In C
oA.~.S~~~s -