382 ANNUAL REPORT 



with four boxes in it. The pickers are put two to a row, one on 

 each side. It is necessary to have a trusty man with them con- 

 tinually; his business is to keep order and see that the work is 

 properly done. When the stand has four full boxes they are 

 brought out to where the packing is done, in the shade of a 

 large canvas, or tent; they get a ticket for the full stand and an 

 empty stand with four boxes to fill again, and so on till the day 

 is over. Each day's picking is sold as early as possible the fol- 

 lowing day, on the market, mostly to retail dealers. 



For winter protection the canes are laid down and the tips 

 covered with earth enough to hold them down until spring. 

 One man holds the hill down while another puts on the earth; 

 this, with our usual amount of snow, is enough for hardy varie- 

 ties. If time permits, the old canes are cut out in the fall; if 

 not, it is done in the spring, not being very particular as to 

 time, the old canes holding the snow and giving additional win- 

 ter protection. 



The blacks should be planted in the spring quite shallow. The 

 reds may be planted either in the fall or early spring. 



If any are inclined to differ with some of my ideas, please re- 

 member that they are based much on local experience, and have 

 more local than general application. As to cultix^ation, my ad- 

 vice is simply this — let it be first class. 



Mr. Philips from the committee on prize essays on blackberries 

 and dewberries presented the following: 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE. 



Your committee on prize essays on blackberries and dew- 

 berries would respectfully report that we have examined two 

 essays which have been handed to us. We find them both good 

 and instructive, and showing thought and study, and we award 

 the premium to Frank C. Shepherd, aged sixteen. We find 

 such a similarity that we would respectfully recommend that if 

 the Society in the future offer premiums for prize essays, that 

 instead of paying it all to one person, that it be divided into 

 two or three prizes, so that other essays, as in this case, that are 

 worthy can be suitably rewarded". We heartily approve of the 

 plan to encourage the young to pursue this line; to do something 

 useful to themselves and others which will be pleasant and 

 profitable, and make them better citizens, and add new interest 



to the cause of horticulture. 



A. J. Philips, 



L. H. Wilcox, Committee. 



