136 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



in clay soil, which probably would be too hard, but on our soil 

 it works admirably. The plant does not know it has been trans- 

 planted, and you can get a much finer growth in that way than 

 in any other. I do not think there would be any diflBculty in 

 using the dibber or spade in transplanting and firming the 

 ground. I believe plants can be set so firm that they cannot be 

 pulled up without destroying the plant by setting with the 

 dibber and using the foot also. I think the great secret of suc- 

 cess in planting strawberries is in properly preparing the 

 plants before planting. The roots should be pruned off a little 

 and the tops taken off. I think that is where people fail large- 

 ly in planting almost everything. 



Mr. C. L. Smith: How close would you trim the tops? 



The President: If there were one or two small leaves on 

 that had made a small growth on the plants I would take off 

 almost everything else. If there were several large leaves and 

 no small ones, I would leave only one. 



Mr. C. L. Smith: Would it be better to leave only one ? 



The President: Yes, I think it would be best to leave only 

 one. If you set plants out and leave the tops on as received, if 

 they have made a large growth it takes too much of the vital- 

 ity of the plant to keep alive this system of growth, and it does 

 not seem to form a new growth as readily. 



Mr. Hartwell: Would you recommend cutting those leaves 

 off in a moist, cold atmosphere, or in ground in amoist con- 

 dition ? 



The President: I could see no harm in it. Of course it is a 

 little more dry in this part of the country, but I took my first 

 lesson in strawberry planting in your neighborhood, and I 

 have found it a good plan to follow. 



Mr. Hartwell: I think, as a rule, you are right, but I like to 

 give the plant the benefit of a start if the ground is in good 

 condition. 



The President: The original roots and tops are of not much 

 consequence, especially the tops; it is the new growth you 

 want. 



Mr. Taylor: Do you find it a good plan to cut the roots ? 



The President: Yes, I think so. 



Mr. Hartwell: If I had a nice moist day to plant I would let 

 that go. 



Mr. Harris: So would I. 



Mr. Elliot: It seems to me in the transplanting- of strawberries 

 the same rule holds good as in the transplanting of trees. In forest 



