34 State Horficiiltiira! Society. 



Major Holsinger of Rosedale, Kans. — I think the papers on straw- 

 berries were up to date and contained about all that could well be said 

 on the growing- of strawberries. But they advised a great deal more care 

 and attention than I have given my plants. I would like to see a person 

 \vho does give them as much care and attention. I don't know of any- 

 bod\- that does and I don't know whether it is necessary either. But 

 what we want is not about the blooming, but we want rain. We fertil- 

 ize the Haverland with Bederwood. In fact the Bederwood was ripe with 

 us before some of the others had come into bloom. The Bederwood ripens 

 for about two weeks and others still bloom yet. We have been irri- 

 gating our beds this time. We found they were short of moisture. We 

 use an engine to pump the water. But let me tell you it takes more than 

 one eight-horse power engine to water about 12 acres. W'e use the 2-incli 

 pipes all over the 12 acres; we have been running all last week and have 

 gone over just about one-half. One 8-horse power engine is about right 

 for four or five acres and not more than that. 



Question : How high do you have to pump the water ? 



Holsinger : About six feet. 



The land was very dry and the crawfish had come to the surface, 

 making holes all over it. Wq got some hose and run down the rows so 

 that we could water each plant. But this is a disadvantage because the 

 plants get fairly scalded when the sun comes out. A\'e then threw down 

 the hose and let them run in the evening and morning. We let the pumps 

 run all night. But this is very expensive. ^ 



Question : Isn't it a big job? 



Holsinger : Yes, sir ; it is. 



Question : Not all ground would soak up water as fast as others, 

 would it? 



Holsinger: No, sir; ours is bottom land. 



~Slr. Waters. — I believe I have seen the question of moisture solved 

 this year. Of course. I may be disappointed, but it is a good thing I 

 believe. It is an experiment of a man wdio lives near me. His land is 

 heavy bottom land. It is drained and the land i>ear it is drained also. It 

 is a very hard land, the meanest kind of land. He has another patch 

 that is tolerably moist. But the berries on this patch are just beginning 

 to ripen and I am sure his little crop will vastly 'more exceed this. In 

 the first place the land is tiled drained. Then he puts on a mulch very 

 heavily — about 8 inches deep. Xow, that is heavier than I have ever seen 

 any one put it on. His rows are about 4 feet apart. Leaves a good space 

 for mulching and it is easily done. His berries stand the drouth. 



Question : About how much mulch ; say 40 acres ? 



Waters : Oh, he has onlv about two acres. But it is certainlv a fine 



