The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-09-01
STRAWBERRIES in
WILLIAMSBURG
SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ON THE CULTURE AND THE
BEST VARIETIES

most certain small fruit that can be
grown in this state; it is rarely injur-
ed by frost, and if properly fertilized
and cultivated, a good crop may be
secured annually. While the straw
berry grows we'll on almost any type
of well drained soil, sandy loan is
the best.
Fall planting is better than spring
planting, as there is less danger OF the
plants dying when transplanting in
October and November than in March
or April according to the Clemson
horticulturists. When planted in ear
ly fall strawberries will produce few
berries the following spring, but not
enough for marketing to any extent;
when planted in the early spring they
will produce very few berries that
spring, but the following spring a
maximum crop will be produced. 1t
is customary to allow the strawberry
field to stand from three to four years,
three or four crops being harvested.
If the plants are properly cultivated
and kept in single crowns, the held
will remain in profitable condition
longer than it will if the plants are
allowed to form in masses along the
row.
Select land that is well adapted to
strawberries, plow to depth OF 8 to
10 inches, and harrow repeatedly un-
til absolutely free from clods. Lay
off rows 3 feet wide. Apply fertilizer
in the drill, 600 to 800 pounds per
acre, and mix with the soil. Then
set the plants eighteen inches apart
in this furrow, taking the greatest
care to see that the buds are not
placed below the general surface OF
the soil. But in order that the plants
be placed deep enough in the ground
to prevent the roots from driving out
they should be placed one-half to one
inch deeper thah they stood in the
nursery row, and the soil should be
firmly packed about the roots. II
the soil is moist when the plants are
set out, there is no necessity Of water
ing; in case water is applied, about
one pint to each plant will be suf-
ficient, the wet soil being Immediately
covered with dry soil in order to pre-
vent baking.
A good fertilizer for strawberries
ON sandy loam soil is one that Will
analyze 8 per cent. phosphoric acid,
q percent nitrogen, and 4 percent pot
ash.
Cultivation should begin about two
weeks after the plants are set in order
to destroy any fall weeds that may
appear. The strawberry grows well
during the fall months and for that
reason it is very necessary to cultivate
during October and November. 1t is
at this season that the strawberry pro-
duces embryo fruit buds, which appear
in the early spring and produce Ger
ries. In March or early April side
application of an s-4-4 fertilizer
should be made, the amount depending
upon the growth the plants are max
ine-the usual amount being 400 to
600 pounds per acre. Cultivate abso-
lutely clean throughout the spring.
summer, and fall.
For local market the Excelsior is
probably the best extra early berry,
and the Lady Thompson the best gen
eral purpose berry where heavy
WELD is desired. The Excelsior ripens
about ten days before the Lady
Thompson, but the berries ere smaller
and the yield is not so large. For
commercial purposes, where the ber-
ries are to be shipped to disant mar
kets, the Lady Thompson is probably
the best variety to plant, on account
of the fact that it stands shipment
better than other varieties. Ihere are
a great many other good varieties,
but the ones mentioned above will
meet all requirements for home use,
local market, and shipping purposes.
Two distinct methods are pcacticcd
in growing berries. One is to remove
the runners as fast ss they appear,
leaving only the original plants; the
other is to allow the runneis to form
new plants along the row, gradually
forming a narrow matted bed. If ber-
ries of the highest type are desired,
the former method is best; if quantity
rather than quality is desired, then
the narrow matted row should be
EMPLOYED. Most growers make the
mistake of allowing their beds to grow
I'D in weeds after harvest, greatly re-
IL .,,,1;&,, of tho naYt SEASONS s