STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 19 



Bidwell and several other varieties we have not fully tested. Our choice of the above 

 varieties, after taking into consideration the good points of caclx variety would be six, 

 namely: Glendale, Crescent Seedling, Sharpless, Setli Boydeu, Col. Cheney, Pioneer, 

 or King of the Ngrth. 



The next thing to be done is to assign each of these varieties to their proper 

 place on the ground, tliat has been plowed, harrowed and platted on paper in rows 

 four feet apart, and each row numbered. 



To row No. 1, we will assign the Glendale, for the following reasons: it is a strong, 

 hardy, healthy, vigorous plant, an early and late bloomer, fruit large and firm, one"^ 

 of the best fertilizers, just such a plant as should always lie grown by the side of 

 Crescent Seedling. I will here state this plant is vigorous on the soil on which we 

 make the trial test, but not very vigorous, wliioli should be the condition of all plants 

 to grow the best of fruit and the greatest yield Well rotted manure, wood ashes, 

 or leaf mold should be applied to each row where such plants are to be set, to bring 

 them up to the proper degree of vigor. We use nothing Ijut leaf mold, which we 

 consider the be^t of all manures for the strawberrj'. 



To row No. 2, we assign the Crescent Seedling, very vigorous, very hardy, and 

 exceedingly prolific. A pistillate varietJ^ 



To row No. 3, we assign the Sharpless; vigorous, hardy and prolific. Fruit of the 

 best quality and very large (hermaphrodite) and one of the best fertilizers. 



To row No. 4, we assign Col Cheney, vigorous, hardy and prolific. Fruit large 

 and of_the best quality. A pistillate variety. 



To row No. 5, we assign the Pioneer or Iving of the Norlh, wonderfully vigorous, 

 very hardy and prolific. Fruit large, quality averages with the best, a good shipper 

 (hermaphrodite.) 



To row No. 6, we would assign Setli Boyden or Windsor Chief, both vigorous, 

 hardy and prolific. Fruit large and of the best quality. Both pistillate, or nearly so. 



Our varieties would here cease, and would plant row No. 7 to Glendale, No. 8 to 

 Crescent, No. 9 to Sharpless, and .so on till our rows were all planted to those varie- 

 ties named. I am aware that many good varieties have been left out, such as the Wil- 

 son and Charles Downing, «fcc. But let it be borne in mind, our aim is a large amount 

 of fruit, of the largest size and best quality, and not varieties. Here is where a great 



mistake is often made. 



■• 



Four feet one way and twelve or fifteen inches the other way, owing to what varie- 

 ties are being planted, I consider the proper distance to plant. The ground should 

 be smooth and level, and the plants set straight in the rows, which will be a great 

 saving of labor in cultivating. In setting plants, be careful and not set too deep or 

 cover the crown, which always kills or injures the plants. 



Cultivation should commence as soon as the plants begin to grow, especially if the 

 ground is foul, which is usually the case. Use at first, a light, fine, one horse har- 

 row, with handles, and go two or three times between the rows as close to the plants 

 as you can and not disturb them. Repeat this each week until the plants begin to 

 throw out runners. Then lay aside the harrow and use a light cultivator. The ut- 

 most care and judgment must be exertdsed in using the cultivator not to hill up the 

 plants. 



Cultivate but one way and keep an open space of at least two feet between the 

 rows, and never allow the plants to close it up. Hoeing must also commence with 

 the harrowing in the rows between the plants, use a light, sharp, thin-bladed hoe 



