440 



ANNUAL REPORT. 



tration of which we give. The cutter is made of a cast steel 

 ring, a foot or so in diameter and very sharp. A single thrust 

 over the hill will cut off all runners in a rapid and successful 

 manner. With the aid of the wheel hoe and runner cutter, the 

 labor in hill culture is greatly reduced. We give in Figure 1 a 

 good illustration of the berry in both hill and matted row sys- 

 tems of culture. It conveys clearly the two plans. 



TRANSPLANTING. 



Always secure young, vigorous plants of the varieties you 

 wish, for transplanting. Old plants — those that have set fruit — 

 are not good for this i^urpose. They may be recognized by the 

 black roots that adhere to them, and if 

 these are used, the old roots should be 

 broken off, with the black stem to which 

 they are attached. 



Young plants may be known by their 

 fresh-looking appearance and the mass of 

 long, white roots, free from black ones, 

 and are the only ones fit for setting. 



The dead leaves, if any, are also removed, 

 and if the weather be dry, allow but a few 

 FIGURE 9. of the green leaves to remain. The leaves 



will soon grow, while if many are left the plant may be exhausted 

 of all its vitality and i)erish. The best season for planting iii 

 field culture is in May, or earlier, if weather 

 IDermits, for the plants become then fully 

 rooted for a large crop the coming year. 

 In transplanting, spread the roots out 

 even with the surface, as shown in fig- 

 ure 9, not too deep, as in figure 11, or 

 too shallow, as in figure 12. The cuts are 

 so well done, that the idea of setting is 

 fully illustrated. 



FIGURE 10. 



MULCHING. 



The great use of mulching berries is not only to keep the weeds 

 from growing, but also to keep the ground from exposure to the 

 hot sun and drying winds. The mulch, by its gradual decay, 

 also furnishes manure for the soil. The mulching should not be 



