60 ANNUAL REPORT. 
of two or three inches of thoroughly rotted manure between the rows in the 
fall. I have frequently renovated old beds to my entire satisfaction by back- 
furrowing between the rows with a small plow immediately after bearing, 
cutting them down to six or eight inches in width, hand weeding the narrow 
rows left, and cross dragging with a light harrow to draw dirt on and about 
the crowns of the plants. Though seemingly almost annihilated, the plants 
started up with freshness and vigor, and made really fine beds. 
Sexual Character, 
Some varieties of the strawberry produce flowers possessing both stamens 
and pistils. These are termed perfect flowering or hermaphrodite sorts. 
They are self-fertilizing, and bear full crops by themselves. Other varieties, 
and among them some of the best in cultivation, produce flowers having 
pistils and no stamens, or only imperfectly developed ones. These are 
called pistillates, and will not bear unless fertilized by some perfect flower- 
ing kind planted near them. It is my opinion that, owing to the heavy 
showers and changeable weather common in this State during the season of 
blossoming, pistillates are not so readily fertilized as in most localities. I, 
therefore, recommend that they be set in alternate rows with hermaphro- 
dites, except in beds for the propagation of plants. As pistillate and her- 
maphrodite flowers may be distinguished with the greatest ease, every one 
should learn to know them at sight. 
Yield. 
This of course varies greatly, but with good varieties and fair culture, 
should not be less than from 50 to 100 bushels per acre. More than 400 
‘bushels per acre have been produced. On my own grounds, in fields where 
acres of beds all received the same treatment, I have had from some beds a 
yield at the rate of 200 bushels to the acre in a single picking. 
Varieties. 
There are not more marked differences in varieties of the potato, as regards 
‘size, quality, time of ripening and productiveness, than of the strawberry. 
Lack of knowledge on this point is one of the chief causes of failure and 
disappointment. The great majority of varieties are unworthy of cultiva- 
tion in any locality; some others do wonders in a particular kind of soil, or 
with a special mode of treatment, but under other conditions are of no 
value; while a few seem adapted to every description of soil and culture. 
The introduction, now and then, of a really valuable seedling has so stimu- 
lated the production of new varieties that many inferior ones have been sent 
out with extravagant puffs. My advice to the beginner, whether designing 
to grow this fruit for market or for family use simply, is to put out, for the 
main bed, varieties that have been tested in this State, and found to be good 
wherever tried; and then, if so inclined, to get a very few plants of one or 
more of the newer kinds that he knows to have quite a reputation elsewhere. 
‘The trial may prove them to be admirably adapved to his soil and location, 
though I freely confess that the chances are against this. The experi- 
ment, however, need cost but little, and is oftentimes worth making. Even 
