SUMMER MEETING. 39 



sider it a valuable acquisition. The Greenville is a little later, but they 

 are both so promising that I set every plant that I had of both varie- 

 ties. 



Parker Earle produced a wonderful crop, but it should have very 

 rich ground and cultivated on the hill system and sprayed to keep off 

 rust in order to give best results. I believe that there is no perfect 

 flavoring kind that will excel it in productiveness. 



I do not want to close this paper without urging, yes, insisting, 

 that all who grow the strawberry shall give better cultivation and 

 make their ground richer. Not one acre in a thousand produces one- 

 half what they are capable of doing. When we know that one acre 

 well cared for will make us more money than 25 acres of neglected 

 patches, let us be more thorough. Grow fewer acres, or spend our 

 money more liberally in their care. 



The present season has been one of the hardest ones on straw- 

 berry growers that South Missouri has ever experienced. Cold, damp 

 and cloudy weather will not give best results. 



The following is a brief report of my berries this year: First ripe 



berry April 27; number crates from H acres land, 510; number crates 



from old, neglected bed, 48 ^ ; number crates sold, 545 ; number given 



»away, 13? ; net returns for the crop, $1001.88. The crop was cut short 



by digging plants for the new field before berries were all gathered, 



but still the showing is very satisfactory. 



S. W. Gilbert, 



Thayer, Mo. 



Strawberries in Soutlieast Missouri. 



We consider well-rooted runners of the previous season the best 

 plants for starting a strawberry bed. This fruit delights in rich, moist 

 soil; if drained, so much better ; a sandy loam well enriched would be 

 the most suitable if watered during drouths, which not many like to do. 



Strawberries in Southeast Missouri ripen only in May, and in about 

 30 days are gone ; hence we cannot compete with the Southern states, 

 who begin to market their fruit ia February, and soon afcer the chief 

 markets are glutted therewith ; hence the raising of this delicious fruit 

 is limited to local surroundings and family use. Along the rows of 

 fruit-trees seems to be the best place, because partially shaded and 

 moist ; here the manure and fertilizers accomplish a double purpose. 

 Spring is the best time for planting in well-prepared soil. A continu- 

 ous war against weeds is the only way to avoid failure, unless well 

 mulched between matted rows; and if we take the trouble to cut off 



