24 . ANNUAL REPORT 



was to have fruit why was it that Mother Eve should be tempted 

 by that probably beautifully colored sour ''crab," give it to 

 Adam and cause 'him to ^bring toil and sweat upon the race. 

 There are a great many in Minnesota who do not believe we 

 can grow fruit, and there are those who have ijredicted that we 

 never would be able to grow apples successfully. But there are 

 some here who have seen Minnesota grown apples. Still, admit- 

 ting that we have not made a^perfect success in the growing of 

 the larger fruits as yet, we are making some progress in that 

 direction. And there are other fruits equally as important as 

 articles of commerce, as essential to health and happiness as the 

 larger fruit. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



Among small fruits the strawberry does, as it should, stand at 

 the head of the list. It ought to be [grown by all people who 

 have the land, in quantities sufficient for home use. No fruit is 

 so easily raised, or grows so universally in every part of the 

 world as the strawberry. It is found in the snowy regions of the 

 North, and the sunny plains of the South. It grows in the v#il- 

 ley and upon the hilltop, the forest or the meadow, and it is a 

 favorite with all races of men. In its season it is more eagerly 

 sought for in the market, and more largely used by all classes 

 but the farmer, than any other fruit, and farmers are every year 

 taking more interest in them. On suitable soil and with the 

 right management, strawberries are immensely productive. 

 Four hundred bushels are reported to have been taken from an 

 acre of ground in one season, and one hundred and fifty bushels 

 ought to be only an average crop. They are fond of a moist rich 

 loam, somewhat sandy, and thrive best in seasons of frequent 

 showers, or where they have plenty of water. 



They may be set in the spring or autumn, but ordinarily, in 

 this State, the best success will attend setting in the spring. 

 Before setting a strawberry bed, the ground should be plowed or 

 dug deep and made mellow; and if not already rich enough to 

 bring a good crop of garden vegetables, should have some fine 

 compost worked in. I usually set them in rows three feet apart 

 and about eighteen inches in the rows. Eows of beets or bunch 

 beans may be grown between them the first season, but it is bet- 

 ter to keep eighteen inches of the centre between the rows open 

 to facilitate cultivating, and let the plants cover the balance of 

 the ground. Market gardeners often set what they term double 



