EVERBEARING STRAWBERRIES AT OSAGE, IA., IN 1916. 353 



good strawberry grower knows, is to remove all chances of the 

 dreaded white grub. Read the history of these creatures, they 

 are among the insects which undergo a complete transformation, 

 and of which the pupa is inactive. They belong to the coleoptera 

 order or species. The winged insect is our Junebug, which every- 

 body knows as a winged beetle. They lay eggs in the ground and 

 in rubbish, which hatch out, and the larva is about one-sixteenth 

 of an inch long. At the end of that season it goes into the ground 

 again, and the next spring it grows rapidly and becomes full sized 

 larva (white grub) . In the autumn these go into the ground and 

 change to the pupa state. There is Junebug, egg, larva, full sized 

 larva, then pupa and so on without end — taking three years to 

 make the rounds. This is the kind that does so much damage in 

 timothy grass land. There are more than a thousand varieties of 

 these insects now on exhibition in our museums. Now, Mr. Presi- 

 dent, I want it distinctly understood that I do not claim to have 

 the honor of first discovery in the facts related, because it was all 

 known to Aristotle, who died 324 B. C. 



There is no strawberry vine that is hardy enough to with- 

 stand the attack of the white grub or the aphis I have mentioned. 

 They both mean disaster and death. You must prepare your 

 ground in advance as I have stated. Remember, plenty of good 

 fertilizer, and fall plowing is a good way to commence. 



We use several tons of tobacco dust every season on our 

 plants. We make first application just after setting. You need 

 not be afraid to give several applications during the season. 

 There is no insect that will fall in love with it. If it gets on the 

 fruit it is easily washed off after the fruit is gathered. We wash 

 nearly all the strawberries we put on the market. We use cold 

 well water. We dry them in a cool cellar with an electric fan. 

 They are all sorted and after being treated this way they will 

 stand shipping much better. 



Mr. Gardner: A year or so ago I read an article on straw- 

 berries, and I made the statement that I didn't know of any place 

 in the United States where a single solitary plant could be found 

 of the old Wilson Albany. When Mr. Darrow was at my place I 

 spoke about that, of my idea that the Wilson had disappeared, 

 and he told me there is a place in the United States where they 

 still have the old Wilson, and that is in the Connecticut river val- 

 ley. He says some parties there are still growing the Wilson 

 strawberry. 



A Member : What variety do you find to be the best shipper? 



Mr. Gardner: I think the Progressive is as good a shipper 

 as any of them. 



