402 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



markets, but of late a discrimination is made; red top is unpopular. 

 What can we do to ^et rid o£ the red top? 



J. T. Johnson — Red top is adapted to soils naturally cold or 

 moist, and once it becomes set, it can only be eradicated by break- 

 ing up and thorough cultivation before resetting. There are two 

 varieties of grass known as red top, and usually we get the most 

 valueless variety. The better variety is grown in many sections upon 

 land too wet or cold for timothy, but is never equal in quality to 

 good timothy. 



Essays were then read by Wellington Lamont, Esq., upon the 

 " Fruits of California," and by C. B. Rockwell, Esq., upon the sub- 

 ject of " Strawberry Culture." 



H. D. Brown — These papers bring our attention to one point 

 of especial importance: "Small plantations and thorough cultiva- 

 tion for profit." But, will our markets justify us in growing the 

 finest berries? Our season being late we get too low a price. Will 

 it pay? 



Ezra Stewart — For some years it has not paid me to produce 

 the finer equality of berry. The berry that will answer for canning, 

 etc., will bring but little less in our market, and cost us much less 

 in work and care. Much of the painstaking of my former years, I 

 have recently avoided. Instead of hand-weeding I cut over my 

 young plantations once a week with a sharp scythe; my berries are 

 not quite so fine, but I get a fair crop, and not more than fifty cents 

 less per crate of berries. I plant in matted rows. 



A. C. Hammond — In the autumn of 1884 I mulched my Cres- 

 cents heavily with straw. In the spring of 1885 I was told that my 

 mulch was too heavy, and as they proved late in starting I began to 

 fear. They came through the straw late and a little thin, but they 

 were entirely free from weeds or grass, and without additional labor 

 or expense, produced a full crop of the finest quality of fruit, free 

 from all defects or dirt. It is possible to mulch so heavy as to en- 

 tirely smother the plants. 



Mr. Rockwell — I have ceased to plow out old beds as formerly. 

 Now I mulch out that portion of old plants, which I wish to de- 

 stroy, leaving a plantation. Like Mr. Hammond, I can produce 

 good berries for the prevailing prices. 



