STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 385 



which is confined to this part of the State, is too limited to 

 answer this question, even for my own locality. The old advice, 

 look around before planting, and select those kinds that do best 

 in your vicinity under similar conditions as regards soil and ex- 

 posure, is the best I can give. 



The following paper was then presented by Mr. C. L. Smith: 



MR. smith's paper. 



As soon as the ground will do to work in the spring, plow 

 deep and harrow thoroughly. Secure some plants of a variety 

 that have perfect blossoms and are adapted to your soil. Have 

 the plants taken up with all their roots and so handled as to pre- 

 serve the roots fresh and cool until ready to set them, and the 

 earlier this is done the better. I carry the plants in a pail of 

 muddy water. Make a hole six or eight inches deep and 

 straighten the roots down in the hole their full length. Leave 

 the crown of the plant just even with the surface of the ground, 

 and press the earth firmly against the root its entire length. I 

 do not water, but there is no objection to using a little water in 

 dry weather. It is a good plan to shade for a day or two with a 

 bit of hay, straw, or a shingle. For the garden, plant in rows 

 three feet apart, and eighteen to thirteen inches apart in the 

 rows, eighteen inches for Wilson and thirty for Glendale. Don't 

 allow a weed or spear of grass to grow, and keep the ground 

 mellow. If there should be any blossoms the first season, pick 

 them off. When runners start, if you wish matted rows, throw 

 them along the row. In two weeks cut the ends of all runners. 

 Be careful not to get your plants too thick. If to be grown in 

 hills, cut off all runners. After the ground freezes hard enough 

 to hold a wagon, muloh them with cornstalks, which is undoubt- 

 edly best, but mareh hay is good, as is straw. If you use hay or 

 straw, be careful not to get it too deep, but just barely enough 

 to cover. If sandy land, rake the mulch between the rows in 

 the spring and leave it. If clay land, rake the mulch entirely 

 off and cultivate thoroughly twice or three times, but be sure to 

 mulch heavy between the rows before dry weather comes. If in 

 hills, keep the whole surface mulched between the hills. The 

 hills can be renewed every year or two, by allowing one or two 

 runners to take root half way between the hills, and whenever 

 they are well established dig out the old hill. Strawberry plants 

 can be handled very easily and are nearly certain to live earl;^^ 

 49 



