32 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



shippers got 82.50 per crate, but others only .$1.00, but people will 

 pay more than that, and it is a question of transportation facilities. 



Mr. Gilbert — Our first ripe strawberries were the first of May, and 

 I found places to ship them to long before that time, so that they paid 

 us well. 



REPORT ON SMALL FRUITS. 



As a member of your Committee on Small Fruits, I submit the following for 

 June, 1S92: 



The strawberry made a very poor growth last fall owing to the drouth, and 

 that means a short crop this season. However, the abundance of rain put such 

 vigor into the plants this spring that we expect better results than we could other- 

 wise have hoped for. Racster (Bederwood), Bubach No. 5 and Warfield No. 2 still 

 head the list of old, and Parker Earl, Lovett's Early and Enhance that of the newer 

 kinds. We expect about oue-half crop. Another season's experience convinces 

 us more fully that no stereotyped plan of culture or limited list of kinds will prove 

 satisfactory to all, especially when the seasons differ so widely as of late years. 



Our raspberry wood was never in a worse condition than now — all sun- 

 burned and winter-killed, and some say otherwise diseased ; but I have no doubt 

 a new plantation on fresh land and all, would be right in ordinary seasons. The- 

 Shaeffer's Colossal comes out in flying colors, although a little blue. The Kansas, 

 Lovett's Early, Winona, Progress, Palmer and others, with their young wood, are 

 all hopeful rivals. Time alone will test them and prove which are gems and which 

 are bubbles. I put the raspberry crop of Holt county at one-fourth of a crop. 



The blackberry, too, suffered badly ; even Snyder looks terribly sick. Many 

 kinds are killed to the ground. Minnewaska, which has withstood the past four 

 winters uninjured, is looking quite ill, especially on low, rich lands. It is about 

 as hardy as the Taylor. We expect about one-third of a crop of blackberries, 

 while currants and gooseberries are a failure. 



We never had so much dead grape- wood here before. Many kinds are killed 

 to the ground. Moore's Early and Diamond prove valuable grapes here. With no 

 further trouble, we expect one-third of a crop of grapes. 



While we are always glad to see a full crop of all these good things, having a 

 large surplus from last season, a light crop will suffice, and the prices will rule 

 higher, and a light crop bring about as good returns as a full one, with very much 

 less work and worry. So we thank the Gracious Giver for what we have and will 

 be content. J. N. Menifee, Oregon, Mo. 



NOTES ON HORTICULTURE. 



To grow strawberries successfully, it is necessary te give clean culture, and if 

 left in a matted bed, should be thinned out so that the plants stand at least six 

 inches apart. 



I have quite recently gone over some beds, and took out all the weeds, white 

 clover and the weakest plants. This will make picking more easy, and the fruit 

 will be finer. 



It is too early to report on the berries for this season, but will state that with 

 me Hoffman, Van Diman and Michel ripened their first berries at the same time. 



A score of my new ones have been overflowed by the Missouri river, and are 

 lost. Also a good-sized patch was covered with mud and sand. 



