THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



pounds of sulphuric acid and two pounds 

 of sulphate of copper, in a finely powdered 

 condition, well mixed and applied with a 

 Jumbo dust sprayer, Althoug-h 1904 was 

 favorable for the spread of fungus there 

 was comparatively little rot in the vineyard 

 of about five acres, and no petrified fruit, 

 and I succeeded in harvesting one of the 

 most satisfactory crops of grapes this vine- 

 yard has produced for many years. In 

 1903 nearly 75 per cent, of the crops had 

 been destroyed by rot. 



In other vineyards where less spraying 

 was done there was more or less evidence 

 of rot even where it had not previously ap- 

 peared, while in many surrounding vine- 

 yards, where no spraying was done, the 

 crop was absolutely worthless. I am satis- 

 fied that frequent and systematic spraying 

 with the Bordeaux mixture will result in 

 freedom from rot and disease, in producing 

 bright, healthy foliage and in the proper 

 juaturing of a fine crop of fruit under ordi- 

 narv conditions. 



STRAWBERRY CULTURE 



E. B. STEVENSON, PONSONBY, ONT. 



'^I^IIE past season has emphasized the 

 X superiority of the narrow row sys- 

 tem of strawberry cultivation, with soil well 

 prepared. The question is often asked, 

 " What is the best soil for strawberries ?" 

 They may be grown on any land that will 

 produce a good crop of corn, potatoes, or 

 turnips ; ground that has been well manured 

 for roots the year previous is perhaps the 

 best. 



There is nothing more important in suc- 

 cessful strawberry growing than a careful 

 preparation of the soil. There is no fruit 

 that is more unsatisfactory and more un- 

 profitable when neglected, and none that 

 will more readily respond to good care. 

 Only those who have had experience can be 

 made to believe what can be taken off an 

 acre of strawberries. The up-to-date 

 grower, who gives strawberries suitable 

 ground and proper cultivation, will clear, 

 one year with another, $225 to $250 per 

 acre. 



Strawberries should not be planted on 

 newly plowed sod land, nor on ground on 

 which the water stands after rain or 

 through the winter. On sod land a great 

 many white grubs are often found, which 

 will make havoc amongst newly set straw- 

 berry plants. I have seen the white grub 



clean oft' the plants from a two-acre field 

 that had been planted on sod land. 



The best results will be obtained from 

 rows three or three and one-half feet apart, 

 plants the same distance in the row, culti- 

 vated both ways for a time, then, when 

 plants are running well, cultivate one way. 

 Keep the rows of plants narrow — about 18 

 inches — leaving a good path for the pickers. 

 In the fall, after growth has stopped, give a 

 dressing of unleached ashes and a slight 

 covering of long strawy manure, or pea 

 straw. In the spring this should be raked 

 into the paths, and will act as a mulch and 

 keep the berries clean. If the ground has 

 been kept well cultivated and clear of weeds 

 the previous summer it will need very little 

 in the spring. 



Last season was unfavorable. Owing to 

 the severity of the winter the plants suffered 

 very much, some plantations losing one- 

 third. The plants made a good growth 

 and went into winter quarters in good con- 

 dition, and where they had a good covering 

 of snow or straw came out all right. Where 

 not covered the very severe freezing of 

 February did the damage, but w4ierever 

 they were well mulched the plants came 

 through the winter in good condition. The 

 experience of the past season emphasizes 



