REPORTS OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. 333 



wliile grass, hay, straw, or most any rubbisli will be all that others require. 

 While this cultivation is given to the young trees other crops can be grown be- 

 tween the trees, such as potatoes or root crops, or even raspberries and other 

 small fruits, returning sufficient to the cultivator to repay all expense and labor 

 given them. If this cropping is pursued it must bo understood that a greater 

 draft is made upon the soil, and the cultivator's Judgment must advise him that 

 •while it is not best to over-stimuhite ou the one hand, he must not starve them 

 on the other. 



At the May meeting, the subject discussed -was, '"Can Small Fruits be Prof- 

 itably Eaised for Market in this Locality?" Mr. Sigler and J. W. Helmes, 

 have both raised small fruits for profit, and gave their experiences in various 

 kinds. Mr. Sigler stated that 1^ acres of blackcap raspberries had netted 

 him an average of $125.00 per year for 7 years, exclusive of the picking and 

 marketing. The outlay was the use of the land and $10.00 per year for culti- 

 vation, no fertilizers having been applied during the time, and thinks that "with 

 better care and culture the jirofits would have been greater. Mr. J. W. Ilelmes, 

 a market gardener, had raised small fruits several years, but is not satisfied with 

 the results. The dry summers often ruin the strawberries and severe winters 

 the blackberries, making the average crop with him a poor remuneration. 

 Several others gave their experience, and it was generally conceded that small 

 fruits on proper soils, carefully cultivated and handled would give a good return 

 to the grower. Several other meetings have been held during the year, without 

 any special question for discussion, but have indicated a general interest in 

 Horticulture, Pomology^ and Floriculture. 



