MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 305 



quoted some authority in the anatomy of the honey-bee, showing their 

 construction, etc. In this I quoted Professor A. J. Cook of the Agri- 

 cultural college, Lansing, Michigan, who is the author of the best work 

 on bees in the United States. Professor Cook was written to to find 

 if I had quoted him correctly, and in his reply he stated that I had, 

 and afterward stated that he was willing to stake his reputation as an 

 entomologist that bees do not cut through the sound skin of the grape. 



Now we deem this sufficient on this point, only adding this much : 

 Ev^en should they be able to cut sound fruit, and as they do sometimes 

 work on fruit, even then we cannot afford to do without them, as we 

 very much need them to grow other fruits besides the grape. 



In all our experience, and in our work with the State Board of 

 Agriculture in their institute work over the State of Missouri for the 

 past four years, we have never yet met a single person that could suc- 

 cessfully contradict us in our statement that bees do. not work on 

 sound fruit. 



The Strawberry — Growing- and Marketing. 



By S W. Gilbert, Thayer, Oregon County, Mo. 



It has been truly said that the strawberry is the first fruit to ripen, 

 and comes to the table when the appetite in capricious, as a welcome 

 visitor. So beautiful in form, color and fragrance, it is among fruits 

 what the rose is to flowers. In flavor so delicious, in healthfulness so 

 beneficial, that invalids gain strength while its season lasts. Straw- 

 berries, fully ripe and freshly picked from the vines, may be eaten at 

 every meal, in saucers heaped high like pyramids, and nourish the most 

 delicate stomachs. 



The charm of the strawberry does not all end in the eating of it. 

 No fruit is so soon produced after being planted. It affords employ- 

 ment, that is pleasant, easy and profitable for poor men with little 

 land ; for old men with little physical strength ; for women, boys and 

 girls who love to till the soil and delve in Mother Earth. So certain 

 to grow, equally sure to sell at paying prices, it is so suited to all soils 

 and climates, and its culture is so soon and bountifully rewarded by 

 big berries, that the exercise and joy of success bring with it health 

 and a good conscience. 



Note also the labor which is saved to the family indoors. No lard, 

 tough beef or dried apple pies to be manipulated and toasted in mid- 

 summer over red hot stoves. For the strawberry comes from the 

 garden to the table in the most tempting and presentable shape, none 



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