26 ANNUAL KEPOKT 



GROWING FOR MARKET. 



Where straw,berries are to be grown principally for market 

 and on a large scale, I recommend j^lanting in long rows three 

 to four feet apart, according to varieties; plants one to one and 

 a half feet in the row. Cultivate frequently to keep the weeds 

 down and the surface of the soil mellow, using for the purpose a 

 strong, sturdy horse and a level-headed driver, an adjustable 

 wheel hoe; or a cultivator frame, filled pretty thickly with one- 

 half inch steel drag teeth. After runners start, contract the 

 width of the cultivated space until it does not exceed fifteen to 

 eighteen inches, and all plants that appear in these spaces treat 

 as weeds, the covering and mulching to be the same as for home 

 use. In the spring remove the bulk of the cohering from over 

 the plants, and unless the soil is very rich, give a dressing of 

 the manure and ashes mixture, but do not hoe or cultivate until 

 after the crop is harvested. If weeds or grass appear, pull them 

 out by hand. 



I consider it most profitable for the market gardener to take but 

 one crop of fruit from the bed, and as soon as the last picking is 

 made, plow the vines under, which method necessitates making 

 a new plantation each spring. The market grower should in- 

 variably every spring set a bed of each variety that he intends 

 to grow, expressly for growing the plants for the next spring's 

 planting and keep them from fruiting, but always correctly 

 labled to prevent mistakes; by this method stronger plants are 

 secured and varieties are less liable to run out. 



VARIETIES FOR HOME USE. 



Downer's Prolific is one of the hardiest and longest enduring 

 varieties. Charles Downing is a larger and better flavored va- 

 riety, but not as productive. The Wilson, upon all rich, 

 loamy soils, is a great favorite. The Kentucky, Glendale and 

 James Vick are later varieties, and will prolong the season of 

 fruit. The earliest of all is the old Ironclad; hardy and pro- 

 ductive. All of the above produce perfect flowers. The Cres- 

 cent seedling is a female, or imperfect flowering variety, but 

 when properly fertilized is much more productive than any of 

 the perfect flowering varieties. The plants are hardy and 

 adapted to a great variety of soils. 



