Whenever possible, it is advisable to plow or spade your field or garden
in the fall and after plowing, apply stable manure at the rate of about
250 pounds per square rod or 18 tons per acre. The following spring
replow the ground.
If it is impossible to plow in the fall, the ground should be manured
during the winter and plowed in the spring just as early as soil
conditions will permit.
In either case the soil should be thoroughly pulverized and well mixed
with the manure after plowing by rolling and harrowing to insure a
perfect seed bed the full depth of plowing. This should be done
immediately after plowing to retain moisture. In small gardens this may
be done with garden rake.
If stable manure is not applied during the winter, it is advisable to
apply it between the rows as soon as possible after plants are set.
Poultry manure is an ideal fertilizer but if this is used it should be
thoroughly composted with earth before applying on account of its
heating tendencies. This is done by forming a pile three or four feet in
height and of any convenient size composed of alternate layers of earth
and manure, each layer from two to four inches deep. This pile should be
allowed to stand until the manure has decomposed. It should then be
thoroughly forked over to mix the earth and manure. Apply after plowing
at the rate of 25 to 50 pounds per square rod or from two to four tons
per acre and incorporate thoroughly with the soil before planting.
Pulverized Sheep Manure also is an excellent strawberry fertilizer and
offers several decided advantages, viz:--
It is most economical because it contains a high per cent of refined,
concentrated plant-food in properly balanced proportions.
It is entirely free from all weed seeds and trash. It becomes almost
immediately available for the plants’ use. There is absolutely no
danger, either to roots or foliage on account of using too freely.
Pulverized Sheep Manure may be applied either as a top dressing at
intervals during the growing season, by broadcasting or drilling, or in
furrows. If used as a top dressing, it should be applied three or four
times during the growing season at regular intervals directly over the
plant rows, each application at the rate of 3 pounds per square rod or
500 pounds per acre. It will be worked into the soil by hoeing and
cultivating.
[Illustration: A Group of Kellogg Strawberry Gardens grown the Kellogg
Way
1. _Kellogg’s
Everbearing Garden_
(FRUITING IN THE SPRING)
2. _Kellogg’s Big
Four Garden_
3. _Kellogg’s Big Cash
Prize Garden_
4. _Kellogg’s
Junior Garden_
5. _Kellogg’s Big
Four Garden_
6. _Kellogg’s
Everbearing Garden_
(FRUITING IN THE FALL)]
[Illustration: _Senator Dunlap_
_THE WORLD-WIDE FAVORITE_]
For broadcasting or drilling, make one application per season after
plowing and just before planting at the rate of 10 to 15 pounds per
square rod or one ton per acre.
For furrow fertilizing, a shallow furrow should be made where each row
of plants is to be set and the manure distributed evenly in these
furrows at the rate of 3 pounds per square rod or 500 pounds per acre.
In closing the furrows, the soil and manure should be well mixed after
which the ground is ready for planting.
After extensive experiments in which we have become thoroughly convinced
of its many merits, we have completed arrangements which enable us to
furnish our customers with Pulverized Sheep Manure. For prices see page
63.
If fertilizing with manure is impractical, use any reliable brand of
commercial fertilizer which is recommended for fruit growing. This
should be applied broadcast after plowing and thoroughly incorporated
with the soil before planting.
We are not recommending any formula of commercial fertilizer because the
soil requirements in different localities differ so widely. Practically
every section of the country is represented by fertilizer dealers or
agencies who will be glad to consult with you in regard to your
requirements. Your State Agricultural College and Experiment Station
also will advise you reliably on this subject.
Any of the above fertilizers, if applied according to our instructions,
will give satisfactory results and we suggest using the one best adapted
to your particular conditions.