146 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



but it worked good in that it created an interest in preserving this 

 beaut}^ spot, and,though time was short, legislative action was taken 

 in Minnesota, under which a tract of about 150 acres has already- 

 been secured by the state. This will preserve the "Upper Dalles" 

 from desecration, but it does not include the sandstone cliffs or the 

 "Lower,or Franconia,Dalles"which are also wonderf ullj^ picturesque. 

 To embrace these,about 200 acres more should be added to the state's 

 present possessions, which, as it is most of it almost valueless for 

 agricultural purposes, may be purchased for an almost nominal sum. 



The legislature of Wisconsin at its last session, at the eleventh 

 hour, took similar action to that of our own state, but nothing has 

 as yet been done in the way of securing any of the land, but some 

 action will probably be taken ere many months more elapse. On 

 the Wisconsin side of the river the scenery is soinewhat different 

 from that on the western bank, but with its seini-mountainous hills 

 enclosing a beautiful small lake, and its wooded meadows opposite 

 to the frowning sandstone bluffs of Minnesota, it is an admirable 

 compleinent in the way of landscape effects, and it is to be hoped 

 that in designating the lands to be taken the Wisconsin commis- 

 sioners may be prompted to take a broad and liberal view of the 

 matter. 



It is, of course, unnecessarj^ in this connection to enlarge on the 

 desirability of preserving intact for future generations this spot, 

 which one well fitted to judge has pronounced "the most pictur- 

 esque locality this side of the Yellowstone Park," but we would urge 

 attention to the fact that official action in a matter like this rarely 

 goes much in advance of public sentiment; so let all interested 

 plead with their local representatives and senators and those in 

 places of influence to do all that they can to forward this matter; 

 and if any of our readers are citizens of Wisconsin let them do the 

 same,that the"Inter-State Park at the Dalles of the St. Croix," may be 

 one that both states may rightly be proud of. 



THE NEW STRAWBERRY CULTURE. 



At the last meeting of the Western New York Horticultural Soci- 

 ety, Mr. L. J. Farmer, a strawberry specialist, explained his new 

 system of inanaging strawberries. Instead of setting the plants 

 as early in spring as possible in the more or less carefull3' pre- 

 pared patch, as is usually done, he first trenches them in rather 

 closely together, leaving them there until late in May, altogether 

 perhaps six weeks, during which time they are given frequent spray- 

 ings with the Bordeaux mixture for leaf blight, if at all affected. 

 The job of trenching in is done in the simplest manner, bj'^ plowing 

 a furrow and setting the plants to the landaide, about twelve plants 

 to the running foot, then covering with the hoe. 



During all this time, the land intended for the strawberry patch 

 may be plowed and cultivated frequently to bring into fine tilth and 

 to destroy all early weeds that may have gerininated. The plants 

 are then carefully removed from the trench with a lump of earth 

 adhering to the roots and planted the usual way. The fine rootlets, 

 which began to grow while the plant was trenched, will enable it to 

 bear removal and replanting more successfully than if planted 

 directly from the nursery, and they will grow at once with scarcely 

 any failure. 



