30 ANNUAL REPORT 



pistillate varieties, plant at least every sixth row with some strongly 

 bi-sexual kind as a pollenizer. 



How long shall I keep my strawberry bed ? I am often asked 

 To this I reply, so long as it does well, and a bed may be kept in- 

 definitely if proper care be taken to thin it out when it becomes too 

 much matted together. As a rule three crops are eDough from one 

 bed, after that, the bed is liable to be infested with insects or dis- 

 ease if not with weeds. 



MULCHING, 



The plants and ground should be mulched lightly in the fall as 

 soon as the ground is firmly frozen, to protect from frequent freez- 

 ing and thawing. For this purpose I prefer cut corn stalks bagasse, 

 old wheat straw or some similar material that will lie close to the 

 ground and is heavy enough to stay in place without weights, while 

 it is free from weed and other seeds. In the spring the mulch 

 should be thrown out from between the rows on to the plants after 

 the plants have started to grow and the horse cultivator should be 

 put through between the rows to loosen up the soil. The mulch 

 should be immediately put back between the rows and as much as 

 possible worked in among the plants to keep the soil shaded in the 

 summer. 



AVOIDING FROSTS. 



The planting of late blooming varieties will aid in this matter. 

 The plants may be retarded by keeping a heavy mulch over them 

 as late as practicable; and it is a good practice to avoid late frosts 

 in this way. Another way of protecting from late frosts is to cover 

 the plants on nights when frosts are expected with the mulch from 

 the rows. The coal tar smoker may also be used for making a 

 smoke to windward which shall blow over the beds and act as a 

 blanket in keeping the bed warm. 



HARVESTING. 



In harvesting, the utmost care should be used, that only good, 

 berries are put in the boxes. Keep out the green berries and pick 

 the beds so often and so clean that there will be no rotten ones on 

 the bed. Try to establish a reputation for fair dealing and cater to 

 the trade of the best classes and it will be found to much increase 

 the profits. Use the gift package and clean boxes. 



VARIETIES. 



In speaking of the newest varieties, I speak from only one 

 season's experience; and, therefore, do not speak conclusively. 

 Many of the newer varieties are of large size, and as a rule this 

 size is only attainable under special and high cultivation. But at 

 present the consumer discriminates in buying strawberries, and we 

 must grow the best and especially the best looking kinds in order 

 to control our market. There is money in well grown berries, and 

 there is no profit in poorly cultivated beds. Still, I much doubt 

 if there is to-day a variety grown for the market which in this state 

 will give a greater profit than well grown Crescents properly pol- 

 lenized, but they must be liberally manured to compete with other 

 kinds. 



