238 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



soil of its natural fertility, but they do effectually rob the plants we 

 would cultivate of their food and unfit the soil for their profitable 

 growth. 



Summer fallowing- is still a popular method of fitting the ground 

 for special crops, but it adds nothing to the natural fertility, and is 

 not so valuable a process for preserving the productive capacity of 

 the soil as keeping it covered with vegetable growth, even weeds if 

 properly handled. 



Our present methods of manuring have a tendency to perpetuate 

 the weeds as a nuisance, but if weeds are persistently kept from 

 going to seed in the gardens and among the trees and vines, 

 though they make much work they are much more easily con- 

 trolled. 



The productive capacity of our soil is largely governed by its 

 supply of moisture. If this is just right in quantity at the proper 

 time, our crops are abundant. Cultivation has more influence in 

 this direction than is generally well understood. It is not sufficient 

 just to kill grass or weeds, but evaporation must be prevented, or 

 the ground loses its moisture and our plants suffer. Shallow culti- 

 vation under these conditions is the best remedy. 



The prices of berries last year and the disastrous winter have dis- 

 couraged many small fruit growers in this vicinity. Our faith is 

 shown by our works. Though we have ploughed up several acres, 

 we have newly set more than have been ploughed up, considering 

 that the lesson of last winter is worth more than its cost in teaching 

 us what varieties to plant and what is necessary in protection to 

 insure us against loss. These conditions have occurred about 

 every ten years since we began fruit growing, and the one who 

 starts first and persists is the one who will not complain of failure. 



Strawberries in Winona were selling last week at 5 cents per 

 quart— southern berries, of course, but the appetite will only be 

 sharpened by the time ours appear. If they must be shipped, there 

 is no money in them for the grower at this price, but a home de- 

 mand saves expense and makes much difference in the returns. If 

 low prices are to continue, the cost of producing and marketing 

 must be reduced, and the best method to do this is to compare 

 notes and give the subject more careful attention. 



The Successful Handlers of Cauliflowers— Use houses or 

 cellars, usually built into a sidehill, stoned, bricked or planked up 

 on back or sides. They are then carefully boarded all over, covered 

 with one or more thicknesses of tarred paper and finally shingled. 

 The south side usually has several windows for light when needed. 

 Mats are prepared to cover them. A small stove or several of them 

 keep the temperature above freezing. Cauliflowers are dug with 

 about six inches of dirt on roots and are packed right side up as 

 close as possible on the floor. Shelves are often put in and packed 

 in like manner. 



