SMALL FRUI'S. 79 
not afford to pay for them as for hardwood. One point in Mr. 
Danforth’s report I want to speak about. He spoke about re- 
newing the strawberry beds, using a plow without a mould- 
board. Iwas down at the Thayer fruit farms, and Mr. Tobey 
told me he had used a cutaway harrow with the two center 
discs taken to renew his strawberry beds. For such a pur- 
pose the cutaway harrow cannot be equaled. Last summer I 
used a double shovel corn cultivator, but I know what that cut- 
away harrow can do, and for renewing a strawberry bed it has 
no equal. 
Mr. Crandall: I have used a cutaway harrow for the past 
three years. Taking out the two outside discs and then strad- 
dling the row, going over it twice; it cuts the ground up thor- 
oughly and leaves it very fine, and all the rain gets into the 
ground. Before we harrow it, we give it a top dressing. 
Mr. Brackett: Would you have this manure fine, before 
you put on this top dressing? 
Mr. Crandall: We take manure that is thoroughly worked 
up. Cleaning out the hog lot or the barnyard. That is the 
only preparation we ever give the manure. | 
Mr. Brackett: In relation to putting ashes onvines. I have 
been putting ashes on grape vines. Is it more practical to put 
them on strawberries? I was surprised to hear that ashes 
were worth as much as twenty-five cents a bushel. 
Dr, Frisselle: I have always been a great believer in ashes, 
hardwood ashes. When living east on the Hudson river I used to 
buy ashes at twenty-five cents a bushel, and found difficulty in 
getting them. When I came west I found that ashes were thrown 
away; people were glad to get rid of them. I asked a farmer 
why he allowed so many to go to waste. He said they hurt the 
land. Iwas surprised; I could not and would not believe it. 
I think there is no better fertilizer for the vineyard than wood 
ashes. Two years ago I secured seven one-horse loads which I 
distributed through my vineyard of one thousand vines; I think 
there is scarcely any crop that is not benefited by wood ashes. 
I think one can make no mistake by putting on an abundance of 
wood ashes in thecurrant patch; it alwaysimproves the quality 
of the fruit. 
Pres. Underwood: What about putting them on strawberries? 
Dr. Frisselle: They are excellent on strawberries. 
Mr. Brackett: We cannot put wood ashes over the whole 
plantation of fruit. Where one can get plenty of manure. and 
