36 ANNUAL REPORT. 



piece of ground, nearly level, and surrounded by high grounds, because 

 the berry field will then get the wash of the surrounding land and 

 catch the snow of winter, which is the best of all mulching material; 

 plow deep and harrow level and fine, set out with a line and have the 

 rows straight; have the plants tied in bunches of fifty, taken up 

 with the lull length of the roots. When ready to plant, dip the roots 

 of fifty plants in water, and then distribute them along the line where 

 they are to be set out; theji with a dibble of iron or wood set them 

 out as quickly as possible, putting the roots down full length, and 

 press the soil about them. If land is scarce they can be planted closer 

 each way. 



What varieties to plant is of the greatest importance. In new and 

 rich ground the Wilson is a good variety — one of the very best for 

 shipping; but as a general thing it gives a poor yield on old land, if 

 not well manured and provided with abundance of water. The Cres- 

 cent seedling is the hardiest and most prolific of any variety known. 

 By many it is considered a pistilate variety, but such is not the case; 

 it is an herjnaphrodite but too weak to be depended on as a perfect 

 fertilizer. In all cases, in order to insure a crop every third or fourth 

 row should be planted to some perfect flowering plant, such as the 

 Wilson, Glendale or other hardy variety with perfect blossom. It is 

 at home in all soils and localities, and if every third or fourth row is 

 planted to the Wilson or Glendale it will give a large yield of fine fruit. 

 Stick to old varieties, such as the Wilson, Crescent, Green's Prolific, 

 Downer's; and on sandy soil the Countess. After the plants are set 

 out and well started, the soil should be frequently stirred with a light 

 cultivator with narrow teeth, that will keep the ground level and not 

 hill up the plants, but if the plants are in perfect line but little har- 

 rowing will be necessary. When the plants throw out runners the 

 cultivation should all be one way. In the fall when the vegetation 

 ceases and there is a good stand of plants, there will be matted rows 

 from one foot to fifteen inches wide with an open space between the 

 rows. Mulch lightly on the first permanent fall of snow. In the 

 spring rake the mulching on the open spaces between the rows and let 

 it there remain. The second year about all that can be done will be 

 to pull out the weeds and grass and plow up after the fruiting season. 

 Failure often occurs by taking plants from very rich soil and trans- 

 planting to poorer. Plants should always be transplanted to richer 

 soil to warrant success. In ordering plants a descjiption of soil and 

 condition should always accompany the order to an intelligent plant 

 grower. 



