116 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



for the farmer and not for the professional horticulturist, I trust I may be 

 pardoned for stating plain simple facts. As the subject is a very comprehen- 

 sive one I shall confine this paper to three or four of the different species or 

 varieties of small fruits in general cultivation, and of the greatest value to the 

 producer. 



And first among these is the strawberry: a native of all or nearly all parts 

 of the north temperate zone and of the mountains of South America. Ten or 

 twelve distinct species have been described in their wild state, while the culti- 

 vated varieties which by careful selection, liybridizing (or crossing) and the 

 sporting freaks of nature are counted by hundreds. The several species belong 

 to the genus fragfeia of the rose family. 



Among the cultivated varieties are the Pistilates (having the female organ 

 only while the stamen or fecundating male organ is wanting) and the perfect 

 flowering. The latter arc generally preferred because they are self fertilizing. 

 The Virginian, or common wild strawberry, is found from the Arctic zone to 

 the Gulf, and west to the Rocky Mountains. The Alpine strawberry is com- 

 mon in European countries and is also found in Oregon and our northwest 

 coast, while the Chilian strawberry is found on our Pacific Coast from Oregon 

 south. The Wood strawberry is a taller plant than the foregoing, and was 

 cultivated in England and sold on the streets in London more than 400 years 

 ago. The Indian strawberry from Upper India, has a showy yellow flower,, 

 but dry and tastelss fruit. The soil best adapted for the cultivation of this 

 fruit, everything considered, is a deep rich sandy loam, with a clay subsoil, 

 where natural drainage is good, or well underdrained with tile. The ground 

 should be well cultivated the year before setting the plants and kept free from 

 weeds and foul seeds. Healthy, vigorous young plants should be selected,, 

 and set as early in the spring as the ground is in good working condition. 



If intended for horse cultivation the rows should not be less than three feet, and 

 the plants eighteen inches apart in the row. In setting the plants draw a line 

 and use a common narrow bladed spade; set the spade six or ten inches deep, 

 open the space by a lateral movement of the handle, withdraw the spade and 

 set the roots of the plant well in the ground, and pack firmly by hand. As 

 soon as the plants are well established, the ground should be cultivated. The 

 best results in this line require the blossom buds to be removed, or pinched off, 

 the first year, and runners cut about once in ten days, thus enabling the plants 

 to throw up strong, vigorous stools for the next year's crop. If the ground i& 

 exposed to strong, prevailing winds it should be covered with marsh hay, 

 straw, or coarse litter during the winter, thus protecting the plants from the 

 blighting winds, and the freezing and thawing of the ground. When the 

 plants renew their growth in the spring the mulching should be removed from 

 the rows so as to expose to the plants the warmth and light of the sun. When 

 the fruiting season has closed, the mulching should be removed and the 

 ground well worked. Now the runners may be allowed to make plants for 

 future setting or fruiting. 



In selecting varieties for home use, or even for market, none but the best 

 should be planted. In this respect the Wilson stands preeminent for quality,, 

 firmness, and productiveness. The Cumberland Triumph, Sharpless, Man- 

 chester, and Jucunda are all good and reliable on favorable soil and good cul- 

 ture. 



Next in the order of ripening, and quality, and importance of the fruit, is 

 the raspberry; a fruit bearing shrub of the genus rubus, of the order rosaceae 

 or rose family. The genus rubus includes both the raspberry and blackberry. 



