Just the reverse of this is true.
In its desire for moisture it is almost an aquatic plant.
Experienced horticulturists have learned to recognize this truth,
which the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder has suggested in the following
piquant manner: "In the first place, the strawberry's chief need
is a great deal of water. In the second place, it needs more
water. In the third place, I think I should give it a great deal
more water."
While emphasizing this truth the reader should at the same time be
warned against land whereon water stands above the surface in
winter and spring, or stagnates beneath the surface at any time.
Moisture is essential to the best results; good drainage is
equally so. The marvellous crops of strawberries raised in
California under well-directed systems of irrigation should teach
us useful lessons. The plants, instead of producing a partially
developed crop within a few brief days, continue in bearing
through weeks and months. It may often be possible to supply
abundantly on the Home Acre this vital requirement of moisture,
and I shall refer to this point further on.
My first advice in regard to strawberries is to set them out
immediately almost anywhere except upon land so recently in grass
that the sod is still undecayed. This course is better than not to
have the fruit at all, or to wait for it A year without
strawberries is a lost year in one serious respect.
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