49 



there is but little trouble in caring for plants. Geraniums will grow almost 

 anywhere ; and callas also. Plants are generally potted or re-potted in the fall, 

 and usually the pots are full of roots before mauy blossoms appear. Many 

 persons sift the dirt fine, and get out every bit of stone or foreign substance. 

 This is the worst thing to do, for the earth will pack down solid, not allowing 

 the moistuie to drain through, or the air to penetrate at all. The best to use is 

 a rotten sod, reasonably rich, if too heavy add some sand, pick up the sod well 

 and put in bits of broken pots. Give a good drenching when needed and not a 

 continual dripping. Give potted plants plenty, of liquid manure. The foliage 

 should be kept absolutely clean, by showering and sponging if necessary. For 

 out of doors plants there are lillies, various perennials, delphiniums, phloxes, 

 etc. These should be divided occasionally ; if in the fall they will do better 

 next year. Hybrid perpetual roses need deep soil, say eighteen inches ; well 

 manured and well watered. Plant roses four feet by three feet apart. They are 

 not exactly hardy, so bank up a foot high and afterward scatter stable manure to 

 keep warm. Trim from one to three feet from the ground. Very fine seeds 

 require very fine earth. Bog moss chopped fine as hash and mixed with very 

 fine earth holds moisture, and helps transplanting. 



Small Fruits. Some say they can buy them cheaper than they can raise them, 

 but they won't do it. By raising them yourself you get fresh fruit, which is 

 most healthful of all food. The strawberry is regarded the best of all small 

 fruits. The first improvement is recorded about 350 years ago, in Montreuse 

 near Paris by charcoal burners. Parkinson speaks of the scarlet strawberry 

 brought from America in 1496. In 1776 the Alpine strawberry was brought to 

 England, and about the close of the last century the pine strawberry from 

 Virginia or South Carolina. The greatest improvement in its cultivation has 

 been made in the last 36 years. It grows as far north as Lapland. 



For cultivation make the land very rich. Some plant in rows two feet apart, 

 others in matted rows four feet apart. They grow best when set about ten inches 

 apart with runners kept off, with three ar four plants in a hill. They may be 

 planted in rows one foot by four feet and left to root twelve inches each side. 

 Must hoe deep between the plants. Spring is the best time to set them out ; 

 cover them by the first of November. They must be mulched, to keep the 

 earth moist, and to shade the roots. Beds may be picked three years before 

 renewing. The Belmont system is to set out, leave one year, then root them 

 up. Instead have found it worked with excellent results to mow off the tops 

 rather high after bearing, stirring up 'the soil. After bearing, the lower roots 

 are dying, and new roots came out above them. Wood ashes applied in the 

 spring are of great benefit. Fertilizers applied will usually burn the leaves, but 

 they may be swept off with a corn broom 



A hearty vote of thanks was given to Capt. Moore for his very instructive and 

 valuable discussion, gained from a life-long experience in fruit and plant culture 

 and the meeting was dissolved. HENRY T. KOBBINS, Secretary. 



