Discussion on Strawberry Growiiig. 91 



nent color that we find when grown on land without fertilizers. I 

 will state that I shipped 11,500 quarts one season from three acres and 

 a half of just such land as I have described (which would not pro- 

 duce over twenty bushels of corn to the acre) besides all consumed 

 at home and given away. I have tried various other manures, but 

 always with the same result, increased growth of the plant, but no 

 advantage to the fruit. We are compelled, in spite of the teach- 

 ings, to accept the facts. The relative cost of production and sell- 

 ing price shows a greater profit when we don't use fertilizers. Two 

 years ago we had a peculiar experience. We have great variety 

 in our Southern lands — red clay, loam with clay beneath, gravelly 

 land, rich land making forty or fifty bushels of corn per acre, and 

 other grades. Two years ago we had a most disastrous drouth ; so 

 much so that the berries on all kinds of rich land were almost to- 

 tally ruined ; so much so that we fell back on our poor red land, 

 and by the application of a little fertilizer that is taken up mainly 

 in the production of the fruit proper, we succeeded in making a 

 good crop ; but on the rich land we made no crop. 



Mr. Galusha, of Illinois — Mr. President, I do not question the 

 facts. I merely suggested that perhaps he didn't use the right kind 

 of manure for the soil. Stable manure, well rotted, as Mr. Smith 

 uses it, is one of the best fertilizers. The only objection is that it 

 encourages an excessive plant growth the first season. I recom- 

 mend bone dust. As you all know, the strawberry plant is a gross 

 feeder. It will feed on anything in its reach. I do believe if the 

 gentleman would try bone dust under favorable conditions he would 

 find it would well repay him. 



Prof. Colmant, of Mississippi — Why is it that the Monarch of the 

 West has not been mentioned ; it is one of our best varieties ? 



Mr. Galusha — Monarch of the West originated about fourteen 

 miles from me. It is a magnificent berry. It has the drawback 

 of not ripening well at the tip end, and also of not producing enough 

 to the acre. I couldn't get enough out of it and I plowed it up 

 five years ago. 



Prof. Colmant — Monarch of the West loses the green tip by cul- 

 tivation. Besides it is the earliest berry in the market. 



