54 ANNUAL REPORT. 
horticulture, that it is with great reluctance that I present this paper to the 
Society. Ihave for some years made the cultivation of small fruits my- 
leading business, and shall have to confine this paper to my own practical 
experience. eal 
y 
Merits. 
I think there is no fruit that will grow so well, almost everywhere and 
with so much neglect, as the strawberry; andI might add that with good 
cultivation and protection no fruit gives so general satisfaction, or better 
returns for the labor bestowed. Without further preface I proceed to the 
subject in hand. 
Age of Plants. 
I have always made it a point toset plants of the previous year’s growth. 
The roots of such plants, if grown from young-set plants on good mellow 
soil, stirred well between the rows with a shovel plow, just before it is 
time for the runrers to take root, will have a light color like the roots of 
horse radish. A plant that has borne a crop of berries and then trans- 
planted will never yield well. 
Preparation of the Soil. 
I have become convinced that deep plowing is very important in the 
cultivation of the strawberry. To prove this I have carefully dug the roots 
of Michigan Seedling that had been planted one year in hills on good mel- 
low soil, and found the roots had grown down into the earth 12 inches. I 
have mentioned Michigan Seedling because I raise more of this variety 
than of any other berry. Every one can see the advantage of having the 
roots go deep enough to get plenty of moisture in a dry season. I think 
any ground that will raise a good crop of corn will raise good strawber- 
ries. I think ground cau be made too rich for most strawberries, but 
Michigan Seedling is an exception, as I have manured this kind highly 
with the best results. The best fertilizer I have ever used was wood ashes, 
at the rate of one peck to the square rod, sifted or spread on when the 
leaves got fairly to growing in the spring. 
Time of Year to Set Plants. 
I have had the very best of success in setting plants the last of April. I 
have set plants in August, September, October and November, and by 
careful mulching brought part of them through the winter, but I cannot see 
that there is much gained by setting in the fall. 
The Ida. 
In setting, pistillate varieties, such as the Ida, for instance, should be set 
in alternate rows with staminate varieties, such as the Wilson, Michigan 
Seedling, Early Scarlet, Charles Downing and Nicanor, which are rich in 
pollen. When placed beside any of these the Ida has many good qualities, 
