Strawberries, properly packed like those illustrated above, sell at sight and at profitable prices.
Kellogg Pedigree Plants themselves furnish as strong insurance as can be had against the possibility of having to spray either for insects or diseases.
Mulching
Mulching protects the plants during the winter, retains moisture in the soil, keeps down weed growth during the fruiting season and keeps the berries clean.
In cold climates mulching is necessary to protect the plants during alternate freezing and thawing. If not mulched this expansion and contraction breaks off the fine roots and greatly weakens the plants.
Any material such as oat, wheat or rye straw, marsh hay, shredded corn fodder, or coarse stable manure makes ideal mulching, or leaves will serve the purpose. It should be spread over the field or garden in the early winter soon after the first freeze, covering the plants and ground to a depth of about three inches. If stable manure is used it should be applied thinner, spreading the strawy matter directly over the rows of plants and the fine material between the rows.
In the spring as soon as the frost leaves the ground, remove the mulching which lies directly over the rows to the spaces between the rows. This permits the plants to grow without any obstruction.
In warm climates where freezing is very light, it is unnecessary to cover the plants. Simply apply the mulching between the rows and under the foliage, forming a bedding for the berries to ripen upon.
Mulching adds materially to the strawberry crop and gives the grower bright, clean berries which are in big demand at fancy prices.