106 APPENDIX. 
vial soil by two-thirds; that is, I add two-thirds of river 
sand to one of ours: this mode, likewise, enables the 
plant to withstand the excessively hot months of June 
July, and August ; in fact, the soil best adapted to seed- 
lings is a sandy loam; and I also know, by experience, 
that the less manure of any kind is used, the better it 
is for the plant. In planting, I never mulch. I place 
each plant ten inches apart, and eighteen inches to 
two feet between the rows. In dry weather I water 
copiously two or three times, in as many consecutive 
days, and then let them take care of themselves for a 
while; when the ground is moist from previous rains 
during the planting season, I never water. I transplant 
every year into new beds, as new soil is preferable to 
old; besides, as I before noticed in a former letter, the 
old stools die out completely by over-production of 
fruit and incessant bearing. J gathered the last fruit of 
the season on. the 25th July, which is precisely seven 
months to a day since they commenced bearing, viz: 
on the 25th December, 1851. This experiment of 
mine, accidental as it is, I consider as one among the 
wondrous productions of nature: a similar accident 
may not occur again for many years. I am, and always 
was, impressed with the belief that I have been aided 
by our climate in producing this truly extraordinary 
strawberry, and although I give myself but little credit, 
I feel proud that it should be so widely known and so 
favorably noticed throughout the Union. I disliked 
my name going forth to the world, but in spite of 
myself I could not prevent it. My only aim is for plea- 
sure and amusement in this delightful climate of ours.” 
