WINTER MEETING. 261 



frequently the cultivator should be used, and unless the ground should 

 become as parched as the desert, you can always expect some fruit. 

 Of course there are some seasons when it rains just at the right time. 

 You can raise a fair crop of berries without any cultivation ; but the 

 safest plan is always the best. The only tools I use in the strawberry 

 patch are the hoe and one-horse cultivator, with very small shovels 

 made on purpose for the business. Just as soon as the ground freezes 

 in the early winter, cover the vines with clean wheat straw, which in 

 the spring, if too thick on the rows, should be raked in between. 



This covering serves three purposes : It prevents the plants from 

 heaving out, by freezing and thawing during the winter and early 

 spring; retains moisture during the fruiting season, and keeps the 

 berries clean. 



The second season, after picking is through with, run over the 

 patch with a mowing machine ; cut everything there may be as close 

 to the ground as possible. If a dry time, in two days you can apply 

 the match and let it burn. Now, gentlemen, you that have never tried 

 this need not be alarmed ; although it may look like desolation, there 

 is absolutely no danger. I have practiced this for three years, and I 

 consider it one of the greatest discoveries that has been made in the 

 successful growing of stra^wberries. 



By this method nearly all seed of whatever character are scorched 

 so they will not germinate, and the ashes left on the ground is just 

 the thing to start a vigorous growth of new plants. If not too dry, in 

 a short time the new plants will begin to show up. Take a turning 

 plow, cut down the old rows to whatever width may be desired, and 

 cultivate the rest of the season the same as a new patch. There are 

 a great many other facts that might be stated in this connection, but 

 as this paper is already long enough, we hope these points may be 

 brought out in the discussion which may follow. 



G. W. Hopkins, Springfield, Mo. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Goodman — What are youi^three best strawberries? 



Mr. Smith — The best were the Captain Jack and the Warfield,and 

 the Downing never fails with me. I am speaking from my soil in Kan- 

 sas. 



Question. What kind of soil is it? 



Answer. A black soil. 



Mr. Goodman — Hopkins of Springfield liked Bubach No. 5. 



Mr. Smith — It does better on timber soil. 



