CULTURE OF SMALL FRUITS. 89 



previousl}' mentioned, is the much greater danger of their being 

 thrown out by frost than if planted in spring. In his remarks he 

 had reference to Worcester county. 



Mr. Capen spoke of a neighl)or who planted an acre of straw- 

 berries with selected plants, drawing the roots through his hand, 

 and setting in a hole made with a dibble, pouring in water at the 

 same time. The speaker preferred not to use a trowel or dibble ; 

 he wanted the soil so thoroughly' pulverized that he could set the 

 plants with his hands. He had a man to precede the planter, and 

 fork over that part of the ground where the rows would come, and 

 called him back whenever he found a lump. He pulverized the 

 soil between the rows with a plough afterwards. He wetted the 

 roots of his plants before setting, and had had a better crop of 

 Downing, Cutter, and Hooker, the first year, from plants set in 

 Ma}^, than is often seen on beds set a year. He considered the 

 middle of May early enough to plant strawberries, and would wait 

 longer if it was xery dry at that time. On plants set as late as the 

 second of June he had had a fine crop the next year. 



Mr. Had wen was asked whether the statement in the " Trans- 

 actions of the Worcester Count}^ Horticultural Society," that 

 William H. Earle had received for the produce of three acres of 

 land, a large proportion of which was strawberries, more than two 

 thousand dollars, was correct. He replied that it was, and gave 

 some account of IVIr. Earle's method of cultivation. He plants in 

 rows, three rows in a bed, the middle one being eighteen inches 

 from each of the outer ones, and the plants twelve inches apart in 

 the rows. He leaves a space of two feet between the beds, which 

 are three feet wide. His land is favorabh' situated, at the base of 

 a hill. He cultivates deepl}', manures highl}-, and neglects nothing 

 that will afford food to the plants. Late in autumn he mulches 

 heavil}' with pine leaves, hay, or straw, and leases the mulching on 

 late in the spring, especiall}' for late kinds, and even then the mulch 

 is not wholly removed, but onl}- a small space is opened over the 

 crown of each plant, a portion of the mulch being left between the 

 rows. In this way the fruit is kept clean, and always presents a 

 bright, attractive appearance. He sets out his plants in the spring, 

 allows no weeds, and does not cultivate until the crop has been 

 gathered. He cultivates b}- hand, using an implement with a wheel. 

 He gives the plants a great deal of water. Mr. Hadwen added 

 that the best results in strawberry culture could not be attained 

 12 



