326 SUCCESS WITH SMALL FRUITS. 



hundred and eighty-seven (5,487) quarts. The gross receipts 

 from this acre of berries was seven hundred and ninety-five 

 dollars and sixty-one cents ($795.61). Deducting the commis- 

 sions and picking the fruit, the net returns were $620.60. 



Messrs. Gibson and Bennett, of New Jersey, stated before 

 the Western New York Horticultural Society, that they 

 " liked the bedding system, say four-row beds, with plants 

 one foot apart each way, and two- feet walks between the 

 beds. We fertilize with fine horse manure, spreading it 

 heavily and plowing it under. We start plants in pots, and 

 transfer them to the beds in September, the earlier the bet- 

 ter. These potted plants form fine large crowns, ready for 

 the finest fruit. The beds are covered with manure January i. 

 The fruit i§ picked the following June, and the beds then 

 plowed under at once, and planted with other crops." 



By this system, it will be seen that the plants occupy the 

 ground but about ten months, and little or no cultivation is 

 given. It is practically the same method as that employed 

 around Charleston, S. C, and, I am inclined to think, could 

 often be practised at the North with great profit. In con- 

 trast, Mr. J. K. Sharpless said, on the same occasion, "We 

 grow in the hill system, and expect the plants to last four or 

 five years ; " adding, '' My experience teaches me that 

 strawberries should not be cultivated deeply until their sea- 

 son of rest is over, say the last of August." I think this 

 view sound. 



Mr. E. B. Underhill, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., said that 

 he " valued the Golden Defiance for late fruit. The Glen- 

 dale is more vigorous. I think highly of the Champion and 

 Kentucky. The Duncan is our best early of those well 

 tested. As the mid-market in this section will probably be 

 glutted with Crescents, I shall take great pains with the 

 Cumberland Triumph, which, picked in pints (on account 



