MISCELLANEOUS. 603 



between the rows was stirred at least every 2 weeks, and in the fall the entire 

 ground and plants were entirely covered with bog hay, which protects them in 

 winter, and this mulch was left on the following season, not only to keep the 

 berries clean but also to keep the soil moist underneath. Slaughter house ma- 

 nure of the rankest kind is also used for this purpose, and the growth of vine 

 which follows, and the size of fruit would certainly astonish any man who was 

 not in the secret as to how the thing was done. This is the way in which new 

 sorts are treated by professionals who expect to make a show of their pets at 

 exhibitions or elsewhere. — Phonograph, Colby, Wis. 



Bemarks. — If this is the plan to show off their pets, it is the plan to raise then 

 on generally. The deeper working of the soil, (see No. 3), and heavy manur- 

 ing pay, also the covering or mulching with cheap hay, to avoid the soil getting 

 upon the berries, and also the keeping of the ground moist, and weeds from 

 growing. 



2. Strawberry Growers— a Hint— Band's to Plant with Wil- 

 son's Albany. — A correspondent of the Fruit Ikcorder, (see No. 4), complain- 

 ing that Wilson's Albany toward the last part of the season run small in the 

 size of the berry, and that rich soil and good cultivation do not change this 

 habit, is told |to plant amongst the Wilsons every third or fourth plant of 

 Charles Downing, Colonel Cheney or Jucunda, all of which are in their prime 

 toward the last run of the Wilsons. This proportion of these large sorts mixed 

 in with the Wilsons will give a fine appearance to the fruit, and make them sell 

 well to the last. 



3. Strawberry Culture— Kinds, and How to Grow Them. — 

 A correspondent of the Post arid THbune says: "Any one can raise straw- 

 berries who can grow corn or garden vegetables; yet few attain to perfection 

 in strawberry growing. 



I. The first requisite is a deep, rich bed, 



II. The second requisite is good plants, and of kinds which will bear fruit 

 without some other variety to fertilize them. If the Col. Cheney is planted 

 alone very little fruit will be had, because this is a pistillate variety; so is the 

 Green Prolific, and these varieties require the presence of some stnminate sort 

 to fertilize them. The Wilson's Albany is a good staminate sort, and bears 

 fruit without the aid of any other variety, except to get larger berries the last 

 of the season as in No. 2. It is the best kind for general planting. A good 

 variety to plant beside the Wilson is the Green Prolific. 



III. TJiirdly, after the plants are done bearing, the tops should be mown 

 off close, •r cropped with a sharp knife. This prevents the plants throwing 

 out runners so freely, and thus avoids the tendency to become matted together; 

 it causes a strong growth of roots, and gives new, fresh and healthy foliage. 

 It is almost equal to renewing the bed, because the plants are not taxed to support 

 a new generation. 



IV. Lastly, strawberries need the earliest culture possible in the spring. 

 The beds ought then to be covered with manure or hay, to keep the soil cool 



