86 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tion and selection we build up all good qualities, and under neglect and 

 excessive breeding they degenerate to a mass of scrubs. If we will visit 

 the orchards and berry fields of the State, we shall find an abundance of 

 evidence of this fact. Some are yielding bounteously, while others are 

 barren. 



t 



WHAT IS A STRAWBERRY PLANT? 



Simply the rooted bud of another plant. In the Alpine varieties we 

 increase them by tearing the crowns and stools apart, but in our varie- 

 ties they are separated bj' "wires" or runners; in both cases, it is but the 

 division of the old plant. Whatever weakness or strength the plant has 

 exists in the divided plants, and its multiplying or fruiting qualities are 

 only strengthened by its new rootage. As an evidence of this, find hun- 

 dreds of plants with good foliage but bearing no fruit. Find two good 

 plants with good foliage, but the one loaded with fine, large berries while 

 the other supports a mass of small, seedj- specimens. Why the differ- 

 ence? The only explanation is that one is in full vigor and the other is 

 exhausted. The development of fruit depends upon potency of pollen 

 and vigor of pistils. In the one case, pollen was so low in vitality that 

 while it could bring life into existence, like the scrub colt, it could not 

 develop itself. What is the remedy for all this? There can be but one 

 answer and that is restriction to ability to impart the highest life or 

 potency to the pollen, I am willing to be held responsible for saying 

 that maximum crops cannot be grown annually where plants are allowed 

 to shed their pollen every year, as is now the universal practice. An 

 extra large berry cannot be produced if the pollen is low in potency. 

 Blossoms should be removed every spring in the propagating beds before 

 they open that they may be relieved of the excessive secretions of pollen, 

 and all buds or plants should only be taken from those of full fruiting 

 vigor possessing all good qualities, and when once allowed to spend their 

 whole energies in fruitage, should not be used for further propagating. 

 In proof of what I have said, let me call your attention to the apple 

 orchards two years ago. No man ever saw such a bloom. Every twig 

 and branch was covered with flowers and the owners rejoiced in the pros- 

 pects of a magnificent crop, but what followed? Little fruit set and the 

 blossoms and embryo apples fell to the ground ; what remained were 

 knotty and gnarly. Why? Because the tree had no power to impart to 

 the pollen a potency sufficient to bring life into existence, and the two 

 years following have scarcely enabled them to recuperate. Excessive 

 bloom is one of the dangers to be accounted for the coming season. 



THE SITE. 



Now having described the requirements of plants for high fruitage, let 

 us select the site. My ideal for soil is a heavy sand or light clay loam with 

 as perfect cold air drainage as possible. The fertilizing should consist 

 largely of potash and phosphoric acid; sparingly of nitrogen in order 

 that we may secure fine texture, rich flavor and high color of fruits, and 

 the best forms of securing these ingredients are found in fine ground bone 

 and unbleached wood ashes. Barnyard manure is always recognized as 



