288 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



to neighboring beds, and commit depredations in the same 

 way. It is not easy to get rid of him : I do not know but 

 it is im]3ossible. That difficulty frequently occurs the first 

 year that the crop is taken off; and the remedy is to plougli 

 immediately, and get him out of the way. Don't try to 

 exterminate him in any other way, because it cannot be done, 

 according to my experience. I have tried several remedies. 

 I put on sulphate of copper once, and I put on Paris-green 

 once. I have put on something that finally killed him, but 

 it killed the plants also. 



Question. Have you tried to get the witch-grass out of 

 your matted beds after the first year ? 



Mr. Slade. Yes, sir : I always do when I intend to keep 

 them over. It is somewhat difficult, but it can be done. 



Question. What are the particular merits of the Sharpies? 



Mr. Slade. The Sharpies presents a very good appear- 

 ance to the customer. 



Question. Large and well-colored? 



Mr. Slade. Yes, sir. Its flavor is not any thing extra. 

 But I have not tried it enough to know what its real quali- 

 ties are. I took twenty-two berries from a quart promiscu- 

 ously, put them on a plate, and set them in a cool room, 

 and the}^ remained there from Monday evening until Friday 

 noon. We ate them then, and they had not decaj^ed any as 

 far as we could perceive, and the flavor had somewhat im- 

 proved. I do not know what experts may think about it, 

 but I do not think the flavor of the Sharpies is first quality. 

 It is a very good, showy berry to sell. 



Question. Is it earlier, or later, than the Wilson ? 



Mr, Slade. There is not much difference. 



Question. Some years ago the Cutter was a very popu- 

 lar variety. Has that passed by ? 



Mr. Slade. Yes, sir : that has passed by. 



Question. Don't you think the Cutter is about the best- 

 flavored berry there is ? 



Mr. Slade. It is a very good flavored berry, and requires 

 much less sugar to make it palatable than the Wilson, or 

 almost any other variety we have ; but nevertheless it will 

 not do to cultivate it if you have to ship your berries. If 

 you want them for your own use, perhaps it is as good a 

 berry as yon can find. 



