52 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



annual crops of splendid berries, and grows more on one hill than I grow, 

 in the row system, on one rod. His crop is enormous ! In regard to 

 the dying out of the plants, I have noticed this — I have in mind a plan- 

 tation near Freeport that has thus died out; I have myself a plantation 

 of the Wilder — or did have, but I find not a single plant now. In an- 

 other plantation, under cherry trees, I find a few plants. The Wilson 

 has stood the test. 



Mr. Daggv — At Onarga, we have strawberries cultivated on the 

 " broadcast " system, and it produces more berries than any other sys- 

 tem, and I have known them to last for four years. The soil there does 

 not go to weeds, as in many places, and this may favor our practice. 



Mr. Edwards — We used to grow strawberries for the Chicago 

 market, but since that market has become glutted, we grow them for our 

 own town. We grow them on the "broadcast " system. I have tested, 

 perhaps, fifty varieties, but have now settled down on Dr. Humphrey's 

 list — the Wilson and Green Prolific. In regard to the Cramer, I can en- 

 dorse what Mr. Wier says. It is good for family use. We have tried the 

 plan of mulching with corn-stalks, and we think them the best mulch 

 that we can use, as it brings no weeds. I have never known of any 

 special fertilizers being used in our section of the country. It is said 

 that plantations will remain good for four years, although I have known 

 plantations to remain good for seven years, and that on the broadcast 

 system. 



Mr. Miller — I know a plantation that has borne good crops for 

 seven years, and the only attention that is given to it is to harrow it once 

 a year, with a large two-horse harrow. 



Mr. Galusha — I have grown good crops of Wilson strawberries 

 for five successive years, on light, sandy land by mowing off the weeds 

 and old leaves every year after the crop is gathered. The patch was 

 manured with barn-yard manure once — late in the fall — during the time. 

 A good crop can be grown in this way, though a better method is either 

 cultivation in hills or rows. 



Mr. Flagg What proportion of the leaves of the plant do you cut 

 off in the mowing ? 



Mr. Galusha — Only the older leaves; probably one-quarter. All 

 the new and best leaves are left. 



