STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETT. 229 



a few cherry and plum trees, and a few peach trees. I know I tres- 

 passed, and took more ground than was allotted me. 



The success of growing small fruit here depends mostly upon the 

 location, the soil, and the man himself. I find our sandy loam adapt- 

 ed to all varieties of strawberries that we can grow so far, with fair 

 results. We like top dressing the grass land, making it as productive 

 as possible for grass. Then for setting plants the next spring, use 

 what fertilizers you have — there is nothing better than stable ma- 

 nure. Do not be sparing, as the richer the soil is the more abundant 

 crop may be expected. Plow deep as soon as possible after the grass 

 is cut. In the spring plow again, and have the soil well pulverized. 

 Mark ofi" in rows three and one-half feet apart, and set the plants 

 from fourteen to twenty inches in the row, according to variety — 

 fourteen inches for Wilson, eighteen to twenty for Crescent. The lat- 

 ter is a pistillate variety, and the rows should be alternated with 

 some variety that is perfect flowering. 



I have raised many varieties, and consider the Wilson, Crescent, 

 Charles Downing, Glendale and Manchester all good. 



Care should be taken that the plants are protected from the sun, 

 and the roots kept moist after being taken up till they are put in 

 the ground. One man may take up plants, and others trim them and 

 set as soon as possible. A dibble of good size for making the holes is 

 convenient. Spread the roots, fill in with earth, pressing it firmly 

 about them Have the crown of the plant just even with the surface 

 of the ground. They need now to be thoroughly watered. Before 

 any weeds are seen the cultivator should be started, working as near 

 rows as possible, stirring the ground but not throwing any earth 

 toward the plants. Continue using the cultivator every ten days or 

 two weeks, through the season, also hoe the plants every two or three 

 weeks. We do not expect fruit the first summer, therefore take off 

 all fruit buds as soon as they appear. In the fall a good dressing of 

 ashes is beneficial. I have used three hundred bushels to the acre 

 with good results. As soon as the ground is frozen cover the field 

 with straw, cornstalks or leaves. The next spring but little need be 

 done except to rake the mulch from the plants, and leave between the 

 rows. After the fruit is gathered, if any weeds are grown, mow 

 them, and if the ground is not well mulched put more on, and then 

 set the fire and burn the field over. If the burning is not too severe, 

 you will find no bad results, and but little labor to secure another 

 crop. 



The raspberry may be planted in fall or spring. I prefer early fall 



