MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 35 
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apart. Keep clean of weeds, but cut no runners. I have had a 
sad experience this year. The plants largely killed by a grub. 
Mr. Elliot said use lime on the soil. Another recommended salt. 
He (Mr. P.) had used ashes. 
Imperfect Strawberries. 
Prof. Morey. Ihave noticed many deficient strawberries, and 
would like an explanation. 
Mr. Smith. I think it is the dry hot weather. 
Mr. Harris. We did not get that down where I live. I think — 
that itis due to hoeing and cutting off the roots, and if this is 
found where they are not cultivated it is probably due to the work 
of grubs cutting off the roots. 
(It was proposed to read further communications if they were of 
a more cheerful character, some favoring the reading whatever the 
character.might be. But the discussion was resumed.) 
Uncovering Plants. 
Mr. Wilson. Iwould uncover plants when the weather is warm 
enough to warm them, and not before. 
Mr. Gould. I would uncover when there is not much danger of 
the ground freezing. The fruit can. be kept back by leaving the 
covering on longer; but then it may be left on too long, and the 
plants will not blossom at all. 
Mr. Wilson. The dry winds of April are the trouble about un- 
covering too early. They take the life out of the plants. It is so 
with the Montana Verbena and also the Snapdragon. 
Mr. Grimes. I find it well not to throw off the covering and 
expose at once to sun and wind. The best time is a cloudy or cool 
day, and if a gentle rain is falling it is better still. 
Mr. Harris. [let the chickens uncover my strawberries. They 
do not do it too early. They should not be covered too early in 
the fall, but only after the ground is frozen. Uncover in cool, 
cloudy weather. I use straw or tan bark for covering. 
Mr. Abernethy. Will shavings do instead of straw? 
In reply, it was stated that they are pretty heavy, but if light 
ones are used they will answer. 
Mr. Elliot. Ihave used them once, and do not want to do so 
again. 
Mr. Gould. Marsh hay is the best covering. 
Mr. Chatfield. Pine shavings are injurious to all plants, especially 
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