324 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



We have a three inch artesian well and fields so located that 

 they can be flooded from it, but practically we grow this fruit with- 

 out irrigation. The first year we sometimes use it sparingly but 

 never the second or fruiting year unless it is very early, soon after 

 plants are out of bloom. It is impractical to use it during the 

 picking season. If thoroughly soaked at this time our ground would 

 be soft enough to mire a snipe and the pickers would rebel. 



Where we can do so we get girls for pickers. They are more 

 conscientious (at this age at least) and will obey orders. They 

 seldom throw clods at each other, or want to stop and go fishing in 

 a busy time. There are never any leaves or straws in their boxes ; 

 they pick them full and generally pay strict attention to business. 

 Boys do sometimes but not always. 



Again let me quietly hint to my brother strawberry men, when 

 you go to town for pickers go to the best families. You can get 

 them. It is a healthful and novel experience, and, though they have 

 not been used to much hard work they soon learn it and enjoy it, 

 besides it adds to their little pin money. 



Always use full quart boxes and see that they are filled. They 

 should be rounded up so as to be at least full after settling twenty- 

 four hours. 



At the last of the season it is well to instruct the pickers to 

 make two grades of berries. Imperfect or smaller ones are kept 

 separate for home use, canning, etc., and do not reduce the price, 

 as they will when mixed with good berries. 



We do not get the yields here that they do, or claim they do, 

 in some, perhaps, more favored localities. Perhaps we do not give 

 them the extensive cultivation that is given which produces those 

 phenomenal yields. 



I have been in the big strawberry fields of Illinois where they 

 claim those big yields, .but, as I estimate and remember it, I have 

 never seen anything better than a field of about ten acres grown 

 by the Gray Brothers, in Yankton, last year. I am told they made 

 a net profit of $i,ooo. 



All nursery stock going into Canada must enter the customs 

 ports only of St. John, N. B., St. Johns, Que., Niagara Falls and 

 Windsor, Ont., and Winnipeg, in Manitoba, between March 15 and 

 May 15, and Oct. 7 and Dec. 7. Entrance at Vancouver, B. C, 

 from Oct. 15 to March 15. All nursery stock will be fumigated at 

 these ports at the risk of the shippers or consignees. 



