GRAYLING INSTITUTE. 311 



Oat of thirteen different kinds of strawberries on my grounds I will give a 

 list of six. I prize them in the order nam3d: Ist^ Wilson's Albany; 2d, 

 Crescent Seedling ; 3d, Downer ; 4th, Ohas. Downing; 5th, Captain Jack; 

 6 th, Green Prolific. 



The Wilson is said by some to be ran out. I can't see it. I know they 

 are badly mixed with other sorts all over the country. It is only here and 

 there that they can be found pure. You need have no fear in setting out the 

 pure Wilsons. It is said that they are too sour, but that is because they are 

 picked for market before they are ripe — only a pale red — leave them until 

 dark red and then try them ; you will change your opinion, I think. 



The Chairman : The time is so short it will be impossible to discuss the 

 papers presented. 



CULTIVATING THE PLAINS. 

 BY W. C. JOH>rSOSr of PERE CHENEY, CRAWFORD COUNTY. 



Brother Farmers, there is such a diversity of opinions on cultivatiag the 

 plains, that I shall not theorize on the subject, but shall give you the plan I 

 have followed for the past six years. 



1st, I grub the land. 2d, I plow as shallow as possible to turn the sod 

 (applause), that is from three to three and a half inches for the first plowing, 

 four and a half to five inches at the second plowing and at no time more than 

 ■six inches deep. 3d, harrow the soil, leaving the roots in the grnind. 4th, 

 seed to grass on the second or third plowing. My opinion is that the best 

 time to break the plains is in the months of July and August. The second 

 best in June and September, and the more we stir the soil before putting in 

 the crop the better. 



Now a word as to the results of my system. I have 70 acres without a 

 stump or a grub on them, and they have paid the entire cost. The past season 

 I plowed six acres of the first year's breaking (1880) and although a 

 poor season for crops on the plains, I received one-third more than from any 

 crop before from the same land. 



I have used no manures except that made on the farm and have not bought 

 or used any commercial fertilizers except fifty pounds of superphosphate the 

 first year , which did not pay. 



The question asked in regard to frosts was not answered. As I have it in 

 my memorandum, I will give it to you for the following years: 



1880, May 6th and September 7th. 



1881, June 9th and October 5th. 



1882, May 13th and October 10th. 



1883, May 20th and August 27th. 



1884, May 28th and August 8th. 



1885, May 10th and September 11th. 



1886, June 6th and September 1st. 



The only June frost that has done much damage was the 6th, I88I.5 

 The August frosts have done no damage except in places. 



