104 SUCCESS WITH SMALL FRUITS. 



the plant also requires nitrogen, which giiano, or some form 

 of animal manure, would furnish ; lime, which is best ap- 

 plied to the strawberry in the form of bone meal, etc. The 

 essential phosphoric acid is furnished in bone meal, the 

 superphosphates, and also in wood-ashes. By referring to 

 an analysis of the ash red clover, it will be found to contain 

 nearly everything that the strawberry requires. 



The man who reads, observes, and experiments carefully, 

 will find that he can accomplish much with lime and salt. 

 If one has land full of vegetable or organic matter, an appli- 

 cation of lime will render this matter fit for plant food, and 

 the lime itself, in the course of a year or less, will be 

 rendered harmless in the process. It also sweetens and 

 lightens heavy, sour land, and thus, in ti?ne renders it better 

 adapted to the strawberry ; but lime should not be applied 

 directly, in any considerable quantity, to strawberry plants, 

 nor should it be used on very light soils deficient in vegeta- 

 ble matter. The judicious use of salt in small quantities 

 will, I think, prove very beneficial, especially on light upland. 

 It tends to prevent injury from drought, and to clear the 

 land of the larvae of insects. I am inclined to think that 

 much can be accomplished v/ith this agent, and hope to 

 make some careful experiments with it. But it should be 

 used very cautiously, or it will check or destroy growth. 



I have received a letter from Mr. J. H. Hale, of South 

 Glastonbury, Conn., that is such a clear and interesting 

 record of experience on this subject that I am led to give 

 it almost entire : — 



*' We have always used Peruvian guano, fish scrap, and 

 ground bone to some extent, but until the past five years have 

 depended mainly upon stable manure brought from New York 

 city on boats, using about fifteen cords per acre yearly, and 

 always with satisfactory results, the only objection being the 



