Discussion on Small Fruits. 45 



ripening season. The Turner is a more valuable raspberry in Ne- 

 braska than the Thwack. 



Mr. Hale, of Connecticut — I would ask, why remove the mulch 

 at all? We allow the plants to grow through it, and, after the fruit 

 is go-ne, burn it off, and thus kill off millions of noxious weeds and 

 insects. We then cultivate and have the plants ready for another 

 good crop of fruit the following year. We do not like the Cham- 

 pion. It is unfit to eat. 



Mr. Barnard — I do not think Mr. Hale fully realizes what mulch- 

 ing out West means. The Crescent is a most valuable strawberry. 

 For family use, only, I would take the Charles Downing. 



Mr. Grimes, of Colorado — Jucunda is very tine with us. Cres- 

 cent, Jucunda and Kentucky are our most valuable varieties. 



Mr. Gibbs, of Minnesota — The Wilson is a choice berry if grown 

 alone; it is easily affected by other sorts. It is our best market 

 berry. In sandy soil you can mulch heavily, but in Northern Min- 

 nesota the mulch must be light, and the straw should be removed 

 before the crop ripens. Water must be bountifully supplied or the 

 business will beat you. The small grower need not be troubled with 

 insects, as he can let the small chickens run among the vines. The 

 white grub is our worst insect. 



Pres Earle — My experience in strawberry growing has been con- 

 fined to Southern Illinois. The worst insect enemy we have is the 

 crown borer. The root worm is also quite bad, but not so destruc- 

 tive as the crown borer. We were greatly troubled last season by a 

 new insect pest known as the tarnished plant bug. It sucks the 

 juices of the fruit and causes it to become deformed and unsightly. 

 The berries, when damaged by them, are called buttons, from their 

 flattened shape. Prof. Forbes, in his paper to be read in your hear- 

 ing, will tell you something about this new pest. It also attacks the 

 raspberry, but does not damage it so much as it does the strawberry. 

 Some have thought mulching favored the increa.se of this insect, 

 but I do not think so. The Crescent paid us better last year than 

 any other sort. 



Mr. Webb, of Kentucky — I am a small strawberry grower, but 

 try to have large berries. I use bone meal as a fertilizer. The va- 

 rieties that have done best with me are the Warren, Longfellow, 



