58 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



SMALL FRUITS. 



Straivberries. Because of its adaptability to various soil and 

 climatic conditions, the strawberry has found favor throughout 

 the State. Each locality finds one or more varieties that do 

 well. Each garden has a few plants for home use and some 

 growers have large commercial plantings. The labor problem 

 seems to be the main obstacle in the way of commercial berry 

 growing and applies to other small fruits as well as to the 

 strawberry. There is not at present sufficient cheap labor to 

 handle large crops. 



The Senator Dunlap, Glen Mary, Abington and Sample are 

 the leading varieties in the State, although new varieties are 

 pressing closely on their heels. The Lyons seems to be a fine 

 producing berry and is doing exceptionally well in some places. 

 The Brandywine and Stevens' Late Champion have been planted 

 a good deal, but vary greatly in results. Of the newer vari- 

 eties recommended in Experiment Stations, the Early Ozark 

 and Battenburg are ver}^ productive and the Parcell Early is 

 very early. 



Insect pests have troubled the berry but little. 



There has been quite a lot of leaf blight because of the season 

 and the results from spraying have varied. 



Bordeaux is generally regarded as a little better than lime- 

 sulphur as a fungicide for strawberries and has given favorable 

 results where properly applied. 



Not enough care has been paid to the fertilizing of the fruit 

 as is seen by the condition and quantity produced. A 3-9-7 

 fertilizer seems to give excellent results, but this will vary in 

 different soils. It is very hard to give specific directions in culti- 

 vating for this reason. 



All of the above varieties are apparently sufficiently hardy 

 for our climate. 



Better care should be taken in picking and grading and mar- 

 keting. The berries are too often bruised in picking: too much 

 poor fruit is put into the boxes; boxes are apt to be a little 

 slack when ofifered for sale and are often second hand so that 

 they present an unattractive appearance. Xew boxes pay for 

 themselves. 



