The state herald., 1915-12-03

strawberry bed will present every de
in perfect health.
The plants of an unprotected straw
berry bed will make as brave a show
ing as their impaired vitality will per
nit, but results as measured by the
harvest will be very disappointing
when compared with those secured
from bed of plants that have beer
given the proper protection.
The remedy then. or preventive,
rather, is the winter mulch.
What shall we use, and when best
applied?
In our own work any material that
Is convenient is made to serve the
purpose, and the mulching operations
are begun as soon as freezing weather
sets in.
Whether the material used is straw.
marsh hay, cornstalks, or forest
leaves. good results will be secured II
properly applied
The quantity that should be applied
varies somewhat. In one article that
| read not long since writer recon-
mended eight inches OF settled straw
There are conditions under which a
mulch of that depth would mean dis
astrous results.
In our opinion, one inch of the set
tied straw will afford ample protec-
tion in most instances. II the ground
is frozen hard at the time. thick
mulch may be applied with safety. but
the placing OF several inches OF straw
or other material over plants when the
ground is in an unfrozen condition is
almost sure TO result disastrously.
The finer the material the finer II
will settle. and consequently the
greater the harm likely TO be done
Tho coarser the material used the bot
ter, for then there is sufficient circu.
lation OF air to supply the needs OF
the plant, yet the sunlight is excluded
have received reports from grow
ers, In which II was claimed that q
mulch had proved ruinous to straw
berry plants. However. II the entire
circumstances relating to such In
stances were fully known. / am con
fldent II would be found that either
improper material had been used or
improperly applied, perhaps both
The straw or char should be useb
sparingly. an amount sufficient TO er-
clude the direct rays OF light only.
A blanket OF snow makes the very
best sort OF protection. as II permits
the free circulation OF air. even when
II packs in a hard drift several feet In
thickness.
This being true. Il Is wise plan.
whenever possible. TO establish the
strawberry bed where II win have the
benefit OF windbreak OF some sort.
In ATTITUDES where there are large
snowfalis. II will even pay to erect
nm artificial windbreak OF some sort
II needed. to prevent the winds sweep
ing the ground bare OF snow.
In our latitude. light covering OF
straw answers every purpose required
for the winter mulch. as this IN al
ways supplemented by snow blanket
making an ideal combination
II is not generally thought that el
cessiye freezing Of the ground is IN
furious to the plants. yet we hav.
always had the best results when the
ground has been held unfrozen
throughout the entire period OF plant
dormnncy.
II seems strange 10 me now that 30
many strawberry growers have their
beds without protection. thereby dis
counting largely the results du. al
harvest.
Yet II Ia not NO very strange after
all. Many OF uH go through life will
the minds eye half closed TO III.
things about Il. II took several year,
OF costly experience TO convince the
writer that the winter mulch is an
Important factor In strawberry rrow.
Ing and that the work must on no so.
coun, be neglected II tho most hirhls
sntinfnctory results are 10 be obtained