STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 85 



We find in fruit growing there is no ""excellence without great 

 labor." And yet we have no use for too much of the "main 

 strength and awkwardness." The proprietor must know just how 

 to do this kind of work so that hired hands can be properly in- 

 stucted. Too much "putter" or 'fussy particular" will not do. 

 In fact if we are close observers and examine the subject of 

 growing the strawberry for market in all its bearings, we find a great 

 field for thought and reflection. There is so much in it that I sug- 

 gest the following definitions for your consideration : Strawberry 

 culture is a science and an art. As a science, it treats of the na- 

 ture, relation, properties, classification and propagation of straw- 

 berries, nature and character of the soil and conditions of the clim- 

 ate or weather. As an art it treats of the planting, hoeing, culti- 

 vation, picking, boxing, assorting, marketing and the application 

 of the money when you get it, to practical purposes. 



I observe a few, who planted largely of the Snyder blackberry 

 when first introduced, made money. I, too, have made money on 

 some fruits which were new to the locality and for which there was a 

 lively demand. My observations lead me to believe that for the hor- 

 ticulturist to make money he must be wide awake, be the first to 

 plant largely of anything new that is an assured success, be sure the 

 conditions are favorable as to the climate and soil and that there is a 

 good demand for the fruit when grown. Plant largely too, of the 

 old standard, reliable varieties of fruits of all kinds. In short, 

 we must be well posted, send for and read all the Nurserymen's 

 Catalogues we can get, compare one with another and try a little 

 of whatever seems to be most promising. If you fail don't curse 

 the propagator, for he is as apt to be fooled as any of us. Con- 

 verse with people from all parts of the country about fruit. In 

 fact, to be "first in war, first in peace," first in the cause of trying 

 to make your head help your hands, and "first in the hearts of your 

 countrymen," we must join the State Horticultural Society. 1 

 observe that black raspberries are more liable to summer killing 

 than winter killing; that lack of moisture in sub-soil will cause the 

 side of canes toward the sun to dry up completely and become 

 lifeless. Weeds too, are a great thing to kill out or starve out, 

 black raspberries. Raspberries or blackberries will ripen earlier 

 on high land than on well protected, well drained, alluvial low 

 ground. Blackberries, though they grow well on low ground, are 

 more liable to be winter killed. A good way to fix Blackcap 

 Raspberries is to tie the bearing canes out from between the rows 

 with short pieces of binding twine to the main stalks in the center 

 of the row. With us the Turner red raspberry takes the lead 

 for hardiness, all others being more or less tender. 



I notice that land once covered with oak timber, or timber land 

 generally, is better for fruits than prairie land. Timber land will 

 grow higher colored and better flavored apples, and bright red 

 apples sell the best. 



