STATE iioRTicrLTURAi. sociiyrv. 107 



Parker Earle — I fear that some of the members, and perhaps 

 the reporters, do not fully comprehend this question of fertilization 

 — that is, they are liable to get it mixed up. As to the most popular 

 varieties, I do not wish to Ix' understood as advisino- anybody to grow 

 soft berries unless they can ship in cold cars. The Wilson is yet, 

 and is likely to remain, the most })opular variety for distant mar- 

 kets. Tt may be bad taste, but it is a fact, that the Chicago people 

 want it more than any other variety. 



S. M. Slade — This fertilization of the blossom is a matter of 

 great importance, but it is in good hands. If Profess(n-s Budd, Bur- 

 rill and others take the matter earnestly in hand we will soon know 

 something positive about it. About ashes as a manure for strawber- 

 ries cind fruit trees. One season I used about eight hundred bushels, 

 half leached and half unleached, and derived no benefit from the ap- 

 plication. In the east they are very valuable, but on our rich soil do 

 little if any good. 



Prof. Burrill — I have used ashes on my grounds with no appa- 

 rent benefit. 



W. W. Jones, of Camargo, of the Committee on Strawberries, 

 reported as follows: 



THE STRAAVHKRRY REPORT OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL 

 ILLINOIS, COMMENCING AT CAMARGO. 



The fall of 1882 was quite favorable for a good growth of 

 the plants, the winter being one of very few thaws and freezes. 

 Where the ))buits were sutHciently mulched they came through the 

 winter in splendid condition, and bid fail- to make a good crop; but 

 we say right here that we have had no sinumcr. have had spring and 

 fall, but summer failed to put in its appearance. The nights of 

 May 21st and 22d we had cpiite a freeze, and I had some strawl)erries 

 at that time hall' an incli in dinmctt'i- and some still in Idoom. T 

 went into my fields early in the morning l)ef()rt' sunrise, ami fouml 

 all the berries inore or less frozen, some almost half grown frozen 

 hard, so I did not have the tenth of a croj). This being the case, it 

 has been impossible to give any accurate report from this part of the 

 State of any of the new Viirieties. T have made incjuiries as to the 

 croj) at Mattoon. Illini)is, and lind it a little better again than Deca- 

 tur, Illinois. I find the freeze also made havoc in their crop. 



Dr. Price is the main strawberry grower at the latter ])lace, and 

 I saw his strawlx'rrv iield in tlie latter p;irt of A))ril and thought he 

 would have a splendid crop, lie is cultivating them in matted rows 



