Soil Preparation and Fertilizers
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.
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Senator Dunlap
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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.