172 ANNUAL REPORT. eu 
. SMALL FRUIT CULTURE. 
An Essay read before the Olmsted Coe orticultural Secnee Tuly 
17th, 1875, by Mr. M. W. Cook. 
Mr. President and Gentlemen : 
The subject of small fruit culture has been thoroughly discussed 
by the various horticultural societies of the different States and 
counties, and while there is little that is new to offer, there is much 
that is interesting and of great importance. Having just expe- 
rienced three years of very trying, and to many kinds of fruit trees 
very damaging weather, the idea is rapidly gaining ground that if 
we would secure a supply of fruit with certainty and without long 
waiting, we must give more attention to the cultivation of small 
fruit. 
Time will not permit me to enter upon a long argument to show 
the great importance of this branch of horticulture, but I will 
briefly reply to the old question, “* Will it pay?” which is daily 
asked, by stating a few facts, and leaving each one to draw his 
own conclusions from them. 
The yield of strawberries varies greatly according to mode of 
culture and varieties planted, but thirty bushels of strawberries is 
no greater yield than ten bushels of corn. The yield per acre va- 
ries, then, from fifty to more than two hundred bushels, and the 
value of these in the market from $100 to $1,500. They may be 
as easily raised as potatoes after the plantation is made, if rightly 
done; badly cultivated they are costly. 
I am very frequently asked the questions, ‘* How shall I prepare 
the land?” ‘* How and when shall I set the plants?” ‘* What 
varieties are the best?” ‘* What care do they need?” ete., ete. 
I answer, any ground that will grow good corn or potatoes will pro- 
duce good strawberries. Clear the ground of weeds, roots and seeds ; 
plough or spade deeply. An application of thirty bushels of ashes, 
ten of lime, and two of salt per acre, although not necessary to 
a fair crop, is very beneficial. It should be thoroughly mixed with 
the soil about a week before the plants are set. As a general rule 
the spring is the best time to set plants, but if strong, healthy 
plants can be obtained early in the fall, they may be set with safe- 
ty, and will produce a partial crop the following season. For gar- 
den culture the proper distance apart to set, is one foot by one and 
one-half feet; for field culture one foot by two and one-half or 
three feet, giving in the latter case a chance to do nearly all the 
work with the cultivator or fine tooth harrow. Whatever mode is 
adopted, set the rows straight. Clean culture is of the first im- 
portance. 
Some varieties do well on almost any soil, while others require a 
particular kind of soil, and are unsafe except to test on a small 
