90 AISKUAL REPORT 



picking of Countess was obtained. It is a variety that seems 

 specially adapted to sandy soils, and take^ the lead at present in 

 Hennepin county. (In answer to an inquiry,) I am inclined to 

 think it is a distinct variety and not the Downer. 



Mr. Pearee. I think they are conceded to be identical with 

 Downer's Prolific. 



President Sias. A neighbor of mine has tried it on a heavy clay 

 soil, and finds it his best variety. 



Mr. Pearee. I have experienced largely with different modes of 

 setting, and prefer the dibble plan, putting the roots straight 

 down without any root pruning. They withstand drouth better 

 and do better every way. I can set them in this way quicker and 

 easier, and shall practice this plan entirely hereafter. 



Secretary Gibbs. The dibble is a very useful garden implement, 

 and as they are not for sale at the stores, I want to tell these far- 

 mers how to get them cheaply. Go to any good-natured railroad 

 section boss — one to whose crew you have given a basket of fruit 

 in time past — and ask him for an old worn out shovel. He has 

 plenty lying around his tool house. Cut off the handle, get your 

 blacksmith to make the blade, and put your shovel handle to it. 

 Any nurseryman will show you a dibble to use as a model. It is 

 handy in all plant setting. 



President Sias. One ol the best materials for strawberry mulch- 

 ing is sorghum bagasse. 



Mr. McHenry. I would like to have some one tell me how to get 

 rid of it. 



Mr. Elliot. Cultivate in rows, and place the bagasse over the 

 rows for winter protection. In the spring rake it between the 

 rows. 



Mr. Pearee. The bottom of an old stack of marsh hay is better. 

 Would rather have no mulch than use any material infested with 

 foul seeds. 



Mr. Jewett. A neighbor of mine put out three acres of straw- 

 berries, cultivated well the first summer. Did not cultivate after- 

 wards or do any mulching. Mowed off the weeds. His first pick- 

 ing sold for over $1,000; second picking yielded him |800. This 

 beat all strawberry raising for the small outlay of labor that I ever 

 heard of. 



Secretary' Gibbs. A man may sometimes strike it by this slip- 

 shod culture if his soil is clean to begin with, but it is not to be 

 recommended. After twenty-six years' experience, I am for clean 

 culture of the strawberry. 



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