Discussion on Straioherry Culture. 39 



There is nothing to interfere with the continual growth of our 

 plants when we have destroyed pretty much all the injurious weeds 

 and grasses. Even if the growth is disturbed to a limited extent 

 in the fall months, the protective influence upon the plants during 

 the winter will enable them to regain their strength; and besides, 

 the leaving off of the cultivation after July curtails the expense, 

 while cultivation during the summer months up to November gives 

 us a greater expense, without any corresponding benefits. I have 

 tried very fully fall and winter culture, and I am free to say that 

 the mode of culture we have now adopted at Madison has proved 

 most successful. It will be remembered by gentlemen from the 

 North that land is not such an object here as it is in the North. For 

 if we can by this mode of culture obtain from two acres of land 

 more berries at less cost than we could by continual culture from 

 one, it is good policy to do so. 



Mr. Hale, of Connecticut — There was one point in the address 

 of Mr Smith, in regard to the cutting of the blossoms, on which I 

 wish to say a few words. It is a thing which must be done. The 

 greatest mistake is made in planting strawberries in the spring and 

 leaving them to bear what they will. I would as soon think of 

 going without setting out the plants. Mr. Smith has failed to tell 

 us how he waters his strawberries, which is a very important point. 



Mr. Smith, of Wisconsin — I have already told you about taking 

 oflF the blossoms; but I have nut followed the practice strictly. 1 

 think the finest beds I have ever seen were those where the blos- 

 soms were not cut. My plan of watering is artificial. I have a 

 tank that holds from five to six hundred barrels. From the tank 

 I have common gas pipes, running under ground. Upon the ends 

 of these pipes I screw a rubber hose. The water comes through 

 that to my strawberry plants. It costs something, but it often 

 makes a great difference in results. I consider it very essential 

 indeed. The tank is filled by means of a wind engine. 



Mr. Hale, of Connecticut — This question of irrigation is a very 

 important one. [Mr. Hale here explained a system of irrigating 

 by means of punctured cans, using ordinary tin cans for the pur- 

 pose, and said that the result had been to double the size of the 

 berries.] I believe there never was a season with us, so wet that 



