The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-07-13
TOPPING AND FERTIL-
IZING STRAWBERRIES
By Gordon G. Brown

1t is advisable that strawberry grow
ers begin topping their plants within a
very short time. This is especially
true for strawberry growers in the
Lower Valley where plants are consid-
erably more advanced than is true of
the Upper Valley.
All of the principles evolved in the
topping of strawberries are not thor
oughly understood. In many cases
cutting off the tops and burning will
eliminate certain insect pests and dis
eases. However, this is not q usual
| factor under Hood River conditions.
The main object to be obtained is to
stimulate new leaf growth and by so
doing, store up plant food on the
crowns for next years crop. Just
where the old leaves cease to function
in the most favoaFble manner for this
storage of plant food is not fully un-
derstood. 1t is regarded that as long
as old leaves remain green, they are
capable of doing this. 1t is apparent
however, that leaves begin to discolor
season. In this case it is desirable
that new foliage be developed as rap
| idly as possible.
/
has been experimenting with this prob
lem. 1t has been found that best re-
suits are secured when the topping is
done comparatively soon after the crop
has been harvested. Highest Yields
and larger sizes for subsequent crops
have been associated with plants that
have been topped not later than two or
three weeks after picking has finished.
IL hoe al haar oh xha% as.lfsvo
tion is facilitated by such topping, in
that the hoe may be brought into use
close up to the plants. This is essen
TALLY economical and satisfactory for
cultivation and weed eradication. The
saving in the topping expense, even
though results from such practices
were satisfactory, would be far over
balanced by the extra expense in cult
walton under such unfavorable condi-
tions.
During the latter part of the 1921
picking season on a four year old
patch. it was observed that heaped
hallock from plants not topped re-
the top plants required only 81. The |
berries in cases were small but the |
difference between the different treat |
the results were even more striking |
which were topped during the middle
did not nearly approach the size of |
plants which were topped early. 1t |
was Furthermore observed that the de-
not topped and those which were
10 Lot 81 a.
than the other plants. The influence
of topping therefore seems to be very
clear.
1t is advisable that the fertilizer re-
Quirements of strawberry plants re-
complete fertilizer is to be used. 1t
has been the recommendation of the
writer that at least 500 pounds Of 6-8-4
fertilizer be used per acre annually.
Two hundred and fifty pounds of this
should be used in early spring and the
balance after the topping season. 1t
away rather than later in the fall as
growth to take place now. This fertil-
izer is made up to large extent by
nitrate of soda, or sulphate of am
nOHld Which 10 very ISduiiy SoIuDic' |
1t is apparent, therefore. that after
this is put on late in the fall, much of
it will be leached out before the fol-
lowing spring. This.ofconTse, would
not apply to the superphosphate and
potash contained therein. The straw
berry growers fertilizer requirements
should be made known at once to the
purchasing agent, in order that the
fertilizer may be available promptly.
This fertilizer is applied in between
the plants in a similar manner to that
which obtains for spring application.