20 ANNUAL REPORT 



and cut under the little weeds and grass, and a few hours hot sun will kill them 

 without removing them from the ground where they grew. The hoeing must be 

 continued until the plants take entire possession of the space between. 



A bed of strawberry plants of two or more acres, of the varieties named, and man- 

 aged as directed, will piesent a beautiful appearance in the fall, the rows will be 

 covered about two feet wide, with strong, healthy, vigorous plants, witli foliage vary- 

 ing from dark to light green. Mulching the plants to protect them against the cold 

 of the winter and thawing and freezing in the spring, with most varieties, is very es- 

 sential. 



This should be done in early winter, after the first permanent fall of snow, b\' 

 spreadmg about two inches of straw, free from all foul seeds on the snow over the 

 plants, or what is still better, marsh hay or forest leaves. The mulching should re- 

 main over the plants as late in the spring as possible, not to injure them, and then 

 raked on the open spaces between the rows, and there remain to keep down the 

 weeds and the ground moist, which the plants always require when fruiting. A 

 sufficient amount must be left on and about tlie plants to keep the fruit from the 

 gromid. Nothing now remains to be done till after tbe fruiting season, but to pull 

 up all weeds that may make their appearance. When the fruiting season is over 

 remove the mulching, if not rotten, and cultivate thoroughly between the rows. 

 Set a new bed, and plow up the old one after the second year's crop. 



A vote of tlianks was tendered Mr. Pearce, and the paper ordered 

 published with the Transactions. 



Mr. Gibbs asked how he separated the leaf mold from the rubbish of 

 the forest. 



Mr. Pearce replied, that he simply raked off the sticks and leaves, and 

 used the top soil. 



Mr. Stevens inquired if the sorts named, would do well on the prai- 

 rie. 



Mr. Pearce said he thought they would all do as Avell on the prairie, 

 as in his Minnetonka woods. 



Mr. Harris asked how the prairie people would secure leaf mold. 

 , Mr. Pearce replied, that he would take top soil from any place he 

 could get it. 



He further stated that the Glendale aud Pioneer were both good 

 shippers, and that the Pioneer would remain a long time on the vines 

 after ripening, without injury. 



The Cresent Seedling he found to be a big cropper, but too soft for 

 shipment. 



The Seth Boyden and Windsor Chief, large tine market fruit. 



For the farm, he would recommend more common sorts, like the 

 Wilson and Chas. Downing. 



Mr. Underwood said farmers and towns people Avere all planting, and 



