44 ANNUAL REPORT. 
moderately fertile, plants standing so thick could produce only small berries, es- 
pecially after one picking. It is said that Mr. Smith has raised 400 bushels to 
the acre. 
Under whatever condition the strawberry is grown, its wants are always the 
same, and success will follow in proportion as these wants are supplied. The 
ground should be rich, cool and moist, but not wet. It should be thoroughly 
pulverized to a good depth, keeping the best soil on the surface. The plants 
should have room to develop, and must have the ground all to themselves from 
the time the surface roots form in the fall until the berries are ripe in June. 
Our aim should be to produce the finest fruit possible at the least cost, and 
where land is cheap and labor dear, the following plan will commend itself: 
Karly in the spring select ground that has been under cultivation for at least 
two years, so as to avoid the white grub, which is nearly always found in sod. 
If the soil has been heavily manured in the mean time, so much the better. If 
not, apply a good coating after the ground is plowed, and harrow it in. If ma- 
nure can not be had, 500 pounds of bone-dust and 40 bushels of unleached 
wood-ashes to the acre may be used instead. 
After preparing the land, mark it out in straight rows four feet apart. and set 
the plants two feet apart in the row. This will require between five and six 
thousand plants to the acre. In taking up plants, use only last year’s runners, 
rejecting those with black roots. 
Trim off the dead leaves and runners, shorten the roots to three or four inch- 
es, and wash all the dirt off lest the larvee of the crown borer or other injurious 
insects be carried to the new bed. Set the plants so that the crown will be ley- 
el with the surface, but not covered, and press the earth firmly about the roots. 
It is important that the plants be kept from drying while out of the ground. 
When taking them to the fields to plant, put them in a pail with water sufi- 
cient to cover the roots, taking each one out as needed. The soil adheres to the 
wet roots and no further watering is necessary. Every one should raise his own 
plants if possible, so as to have them when wanted. 
At the proper time, plant sweet or early field corn, in the rows with the plants 
—the hills four feet apart. This will injure the plants little or none, and the 
shade will be beneficial rather than otherwise, n the summer. The corn will 
pay all the expense the first pear. All runners and blossoms should be cut off 
as soon as they appear, so as to let the plants get strong before any draft is 
made on them. About the last of July, when the plants have gamed strength, 
and are sending out several runners ata time, they may be allowed to grow and 
cover the ground. Cultivation with a horse must then be discontinued, and if 
it has been well done up to this time, but few weeds will appear afterward. 
When the weather becomes cool and moist in the fall, the whole bed may be 
gone over with the hoe, and all weeds removed, after which the ground should 
not be disturbed to any depth. 
‘The strawberry sends out new roots near the surface in the fall, and if they 
are cut or broken, either then or in the spring, the crop will be diminished 
accordingly. The want of proper covering in the winter, allowing the roots to 
be wrenched and broken by the frost, has the same effect. 
Whether the corn is sold green or allowed to ripen, the stalks should be left 
uncut, as they not only shelter the plants in winter, but prevent the covering 
from blowing off. In many parts of the country this is an important item. 
Early in the winter, eover the whole surface to the depth of an inch or two 
