274 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



derwood on the culture of roses. This with the other papers read 

 at the meeting, viz.: "Growing Pedigree Strawberries," by B. T. 

 Hoyt; "Ups and Downs of Strawberry Culture in Minnesota," by 

 Wm. Lyons, and "The Position of an Economic Entomologist," 

 by Prof. F. L. Washburn, will appear in early numbers of our 

 magazine. 



Mr. O. C. Gregg gave a practical talk on "Strawberry Growing 

 on the Prairie." He prefaced his remarks by a complimentary 

 reference to the State Horticultural Society, ascribing to it his in- 

 terest in fruit growing, and his "God bless the Horticultural Society 

 of Minnesota" was heartily appreciated. 



In his talk on "Growing Strawberries on the Prairie," 

 he brought out the following points, speaking first of the increas- 

 ing popularity and value of the Russian golden willow as a shelter 

 belt. He would set the strawberry bed in the spring, after the 

 earlier spring work is out of the way, in rows six feet apart and 

 one and one-half feet between the plants, to allow cultivating with 

 the horse plow, and he had found it possible to keep the bed en- 

 tirely free from weeds. The importance of having vigorous plants 

 to start with was emphasized. He plants Bederwood and Warfield 

 and has a bed from which all fruit buds are picked and no fruit al- 

 lowed to grow in order to get the most vigorous plants for setting. 

 In the late fall, when other work is not pressing, the bed is very 

 heavily mulched with straw, which is allowed to remain on late 

 in the spring, thus holding the bed back to avoid June frosts. 

 When the straw is removed it is kept and used to mulch the golden 

 willows. Ashes are used as a fertilizer. Vigorous plants and thor- 

 ough cultivating, making an absolutely clean bed, and heavy 

 mulching, were the points emphasized in Mr. Gregg's talk. 



Prof. Green spoke on "Strawberries at the Station," prefacing 

 his remarks by referring to Superintendent Gregg's preference for 

 spring planting of strawberries. Prof. Green said that autumn 

 was also a good time when there were plenty of runners and the 

 conditions were right. Last fall we had moist, cool weather for a 

 long time in August, but when it is as dry as it often is at that 

 season, it will not do at all to plant in the fall. Speaking of the 

 station he said in part: "We concentrate our work here in cer- 

 tain lines. We can't hope to compete with a man like Elliot who 

 gets up at four o'clock in the morning. Besides, we haven't the 

 soil. At Lake Minnetonka they have a loess loam, the best soil 

 in the world for strawberries and other fruit. They have the same 

 thing up in Manitoba. I saw a magnificent display of apples at 



