Summer Meeting. 113 



are always along the edge of the rows. To have the matted row all edge 

 is what we mean by plant surface. When rows are 3 feet 8 to 4 feet apart 

 a matted row can be formed 2 feet wide. In September, after the row 

 is well set, the plants should be dug out, so as to leave the plants about 

 6 inches apart all over the matted row. This gives plant surface and as 

 good fruit in the middle of the row as along the edge. 



Were I planting with the view of not thinning, I would make my rows 

 closer together and my plant bed narrower, so as to have more row sur- 

 face in the field. In the care of the berry field after growing it is the 

 mulching. This is very necessary on most soils, although on stony lands 

 it is not. 



With the larger commercial grower this is quite a problem. In most 

 cases wheat straw is used, and with this idea, that the straw may be some 

 protection during the winter, also to get this part of the work out of the 

 way when not so busy, it is generally put on during the winter months ; 

 but owing to the fact that we so often get a bad dose of cheat wheat, 

 weeds, etc., in berry patches from the mulch, which sometimes makes seri- 

 ous trouble, I prefer to put on the mulch in the spring. Where one is 

 growing berries in a small way, prairie hay bedding, leaves, bigass from 

 the cane mill or any clean litter can be used. After the crop is harvested 

 the next care of the field is renewing it. If filthy, mow it off and burn over 

 if trash enough to burn. If clean of weeds and grass, not necessary to 

 mow. Bar off with the side plow, leaving the row bed not over eight 

 inches wide. I usually give the ground time to mellow up after barring off, 

 say a week ; then cultivate the soil back to row with a double shovel or cul- 

 tivator, then harrow cross-ways with a drag harrow. This work should 

 commence as soon as done picking the crop, so as to give the runners a 

 chance to set plants early, the same as in starting a new bed. We 

 omitted to mention that it is best to hoe out the row after barring off 

 before cultivating the soil back. 



Cultivate as often and as late as necessary to grow a good plant row. 

 As the subjects of best varieties, kind of soil and fertilizing are to be 

 presented in different papers, we have left these important parts of the 

 whole subject of strawberry culture to more experienced writers. In 

 conclusion, will say that we believe, as a general proposition, the small 

 acreage in strawberry growing for commercial purposes, perhaps, is the 

 most profitable. The most successful association I know have an average 

 of two and one-half acres per member. As a rule, better cultivation, 

 better care and attention can be given the small field, and, as the successful 

 harvesting of the crop requires much care and proper handling, it is neces- 

 sary to have interested parties in all departments of the work. With the 



H— s 



