62 STATE HORTIOULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



A light mulchinf? over the rows should be given during the winter^ 

 and a heavy one between them in the spring. It can all be put on in 

 the fall, allowing it to cover the rows just snfBcient to partly hide them 

 from view. Care should betaken to get mulch that is free from weed 

 seeds if possible. I have had a great deal of trouble from mulching 

 with livery stable manure containing timothy and clover seed, also with 

 wheat straw containing cheat and wild barley fHordenm pratense L.Jy. 

 which is the worst thing in strawberries I ever had to contend with» 

 I wish that threshing machines were so constructed as to put the clean 

 straw in a pile by itself, and the chaff, screenings, etc., in another pile» 

 It would be a great relief to the strawberry growers who are com- 

 pelled to use straw for this purpose. Berries should be picked when 

 ripe (colored) — not before — very carefully, with a half inch of stem to 

 them ; should be packed in clean, new boxes and crates, and handled 

 as carefully as one would eggs. Of the new varieties tested by me 

 this year, those making the best showing are Barton's Eclipse No. 51> 

 Robinson, Parker Barle and Timbrell. 



Z. T. Russell, Carthage, Mo. 



The Raspberry and Blackberry. 



To make a success in raspberry or blackberry '3ulture, among the 

 first important considerations is the selection of strong, healthy plants ; 

 and one should be willing to pay a double price, if necessary, to get 

 such plants. In buying plants the utmost caution should be used to 

 guard against the importation of disease. Some treat this matter very 

 lightly, thinking, perhaps, that if disease should make its appearance 

 it can be squirted out of existence on short notice with a spray pump. 

 I believe this view of it is altogether wrong. Whatever virtue there 

 may be in any of the different spraying mixtures, as preventives of 

 disease, I have very little faith in any of them as curatives. The dis- 

 tance for planting has been spoken of so often that I will pass that by 

 at this time. A few points on planting, which may be of importance, 

 might be considered. I prefer fall planting for blackberries and red 

 raspberries, and have had good success with black raspberries planted 

 at that time; but, as a rule, I would plant them in the spring. Plants 

 set in the fall will need mulching, to prevent too frequent freezing and 

 thawing. 



Two or three inches of strawy horse-manure, free from weed or 

 grass seeds, is just the thing for this purpose. Four or five inches of 

 clean straw will also make a good mulch. Fall planted trees or plants 



