SOUTHERN MINX. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. (57 



SOUTHERN MINNESOTA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



sl;cki;tak'v's ki;i'')kt, clakenci: wiuxa:. 



Tlie third annual meeting- of this society was convened in the 

 court-house of the city of Austin, Dec. 20, ISO."). On account of the 

 absence of tlie nieniljers wlio were on the program, the forenoon ses- 

 sion was of an informal nnture. The afternoon business was opened 

 by an interesting paper on "Growing Strawberries from a Farmer's 

 Standpoint," b}' J. Christgau, of Sutton. He had picked 32i) boxes of 

 strawberries from twenty-eight square rods, an old bed. Thinks 

 that if .«»oine fanner in each neighborhood would raise plants for 

 sale and keep them pure, it would help greatly' in the matter of 

 bringing about general success in the matter of growing a supply 

 of home fruit; uses a harrow culitvator, as it can be run close to the 

 plants and kills weeds when they are small. With a little fore- 

 thought and care the farmer will find it profitable to raise his own 

 small fruit, and certainly should not deprive his family of a luxury 

 that is so easily within reach. 



Geo. H Prescott, of Albert Lea, gave his experience in irrigating 

 strawberries. He had obtained good results from carrying water in 

 pails from a shallow well and pouring it on the strawberry bed, and 

 from this beginning in irrigation has erected a reservoir elevated 

 above the level of the beds to be watered, which he fills by hand 

 pump and distributes by hose. With this crude a3-stem of irrigation 

 he has been able to raise as many as 4,420 boxes of strawberries from 

 a measured acre, in aver}' unfavorable season, thus having so much 

 of a monopolj' of the market that he was able to dispose of his ber- 

 ries at a fancj' price. 



Mr. Patten, of Charles City, suggested as a protection from late 

 -pring frosts, planting hills of buckwheat about the 2t)th of July 

 ilong the rows of plants. These hills of buckwheat will make a 

 strong growth and a light Huffy cover for the plants in late spring 

 time. 



The practice of burning off strawberry beds the second season was 

 discussed and generally favored, although some beds were reported 

 injured when covered with too thick a mulch when burned and 

 allowed to burn too slowly. 



Kdson Ga3lord, of Xora Springs, la., compared the opposite meth- 

 "dsof Eastern and Western orchardisls, recommended cool north- 

 rn exposures and free circulation of air, advised all to avoid strang- 

 ers in l)uj'ing nursery stock. Topworking our more tender varie- 

 ties on the Virginia crab or Hibernal apple will increase their hardi- 

 ness and go far towards settling the apple (question for the North- 

 Mr. Hawkins, of Austin, has had little success in growing ai)i)les 

 md thinks that much hinges on getting the proper root: has had 

 «'.\cellent success by deep planting, bj- which process the trees are 

 inclined to throw out hardy roots; has found the Hil)ernal the best 

 tree he has planted. Mr. Patten thinks highly of the Shield's crab 

 as a stock for topworking; is of opinion that congeniality is one of 

 the most important points to be considered in topworking. Con- 

 siderable time was taken up on this subject. 



