10 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



from heavy burnings. All were planted on the same ground and had 

 equal chance. 



^^'e take our plants for setting from new beds. We plant early in 

 spring, putting the ground in readiness the previous summer b}' plowing 

 well and cultivating till everything is twice dead. In the spring, culti- 

 vate and plant in rows four to four and a half feet apart and twenty 

 inches to two feet in the row. We are not troubled much with weeds, 

 but stir the ground as often as is needed. We pay but little attention to 

 runners. Early in the fall we narrow the rows to about eighteen inches 

 and cultivate the next summer as is best. We prefer the matted row 

 for these reasons: We do not mulch, and the wind blows the sand 

 away from the hills and covers the crowns; it is also less work, and gives 

 as large a yield if not allowed to mat thickly; the fruit is also cleaner; we 

 have never failed of a fine crop. So far our land has been new and will 

 be for a time. If it were old we should depend upon clover and ashes 

 largely for fertilizing. Our farm lies one and one half miles from the 

 lake. With us the low ground is not more subject to damage by frost 

 than is the high. Growth starts later, and blossoms and fruit are later. 

 We have sold most of our berries in the home market and in inland 

 towns. There is a good demand for first-class fruit honestly packed. 



We join hands with all who love the ideal life and home amid trees, 

 vines, fruit and fragrant flowers, and who are bound to put the business 

 to the front, not forgetting the public good and the hapi^iness and pros^ 

 perity of the coming generations. 



BY MR. J. B. HODK OF LUDINGTON. 



Almost any kind of soil, if well fertilized and free from foul seed, 

 that has good water and air drainage, will grow strawberries. For the 

 early varieties, a south slope is preferable, but for the late ones a north 

 slope or level land is best, if not subject to late frosts. 



In preparing the soil it should be put in the best possible condition 

 by plowing in the autumn and again in the s]»ring, and by frequent har- 

 rowing. Then roll or use a float. Do not leave on the ground any rub- 

 bish, such as stone, roots, corn stubble, or auj'thing that will hinder cul- 

 tivation. When read}' to plant, it should look like a garden. In grow- 

 ing strawberries, like other crops, when the soil is well prepared it takes 

 less labor to keep it clear of foul grasses. Mark both ways, as far apart 

 as it is wished to set the plants. W^e set three feet each way, and think 

 that is about right where you wish a narrow matted row. 



In setting ])lants we use a short-handled s])ade to make the hoh^s, then 

 place the plant in the hole, being careful not to get the crown of the plant 

 below the surface, and have the roots straight in the hole, and not have 

 any of them above ground. Then step firwily on one side to press the 

 soil around the roots. 



Cultivation should be started as soon as possible after setting, so as 

 to hold moisture and destroy the weeds. Cultivate both ways until mid- 

 season, then place the niimcis the way it is wished to have the m.atted 

 row. Do not let the row ])e('ome over six or seven inches wide. Keep 

 the plants well hoed; ]>ick off all llie blossoms; do not let ]ilants bear 

 fruit the first year nfU-v setting. 



