A few hints as regards the cultivation of strawberries may be useful
to both boys and girls; for fine berries can be raised even on a small
plot of ground, if the soil be rich. Plants for a new bed should be
set out early in the spring; the roots will then grow strong, and the
plants will be better able to bear the cold of winter. Some gardeners
prefer to plant their strawberry roots in August, or even late in the
autumn, and if the winter is mild, or deep snows cover the ground, the
vines will live and bear fruit the next summer. Some prefer to raise
strawberries in hills, but the most prolific vines are those planted
in beds about three feet wide, with a path between, filled with straw,
to keep the fruit from the ground; it is well to cut off most of the
runners. Of course the beds should be kept free from weeds. There are
many new varieties, but the old Hovey’s Seedling is as reliable as any,
and very prolific. The Russell is easily propagated; vines planted in
April will often yield fine strawberries in June. The Wilson is a
profitable strawberry for the market because of its large yield, but it
is hardly equal in flavor to the Hovey.
The Hovey will soon run out if planted by itself; it requires some
other kind to be planted with it. The Pine is usually the variety
selected for that purpose. It is useless to enumerate the several
varieties, for nearly every locality has its favorite strawberry. Some
kinds will scarcely bear a perfect berry in some locations, while in a
different locality the same plant will be loaded with perfect fruit.
Sometimes a healthy and vigorous-looking bed of strawberry plants will
produce but few berries; then you must examine the blossoms, those
which bear fruit will have the berry formed in the flower, while others
will blossom freely, but do not bear fruit; these are the male plants,
and it is better to leave but few of them in your strawberry beds. When
you plant the new roots, dig a hole with a trowel and fill it with
water, then spread out the roots and pack the earth close around them;
but when they are fully rooted, and commence to grow, the earth should
be kept loose around them.
Strawberry plants should be replanted every third year; it is best to
change the location of the bed if possible, or at least to renew the
soil. Boys or girls who raise and gather from their own little garden
a dish of strawberries, will find great pleasure in presenting it to
their friends as fruits of their own labor.