state: pomologicai, society. 109 



Avhere the strawberry cannot be successfully grown. While this 

 is true, it is not saying but what it will flourish better in some 

 than in others. It will flourish best where its requirements are 

 most closely met. That stands to reason. We can not com- 

 pete with the southwest central states in the production of corn, 

 except, perhaps, in these western counties with sweet corn for 

 canning, because climatic as well as other influences are more 

 favorable for the production of this vegetable in those states. 

 Corn requires hotter weather than the greater part of Maine 

 can give to do its best. From 90 to 100 degrees is all right 

 for corn, but it is 20 degrees above the requirement of the straw- 

 terry. 



The strawberry, as far as the growth of the plant is con- 

 cerned, if furnished plenty of water, will flourish well in the 

 South ; but where perpetual summer reigns it will not fruit well 

 unless the growth is checked in some unnatural way. 



The strawberry must pass into, at least, a partial state of dor- 

 mancy before it can mature fruit-buds. The most natural way 

 is by a low temperature, the least natural way is by drouth. In 

 the far South the latter must be the way. In certain sections 

 of the North, the most natural, and thus the most healthful 

 way can be found. 



The strawberry is a cold-blooded plant, and will grow at a 

 very low temperature, in fact, at all times when the ground is 

 not frozen, even though covered with several feet of snow. But 

 the growth of the plant at this time is almost wholly confined 

 to the roots and crowns, augmenting the fruit-producing powers 

 of the plant. 



This winter growth is much dependent upon the presence 

 of green and healthy foliage, and unless this is preserved intact 

 "by proper covering, as freezing weather approaches, very little 

 improvement can be seen. 



When the foliage has been removed from the plant by any 

 cause which has not destroyed the roots and crown, its first 

 efforts are all along the way to repair the damage that has been 

 done, because the production of fruit is impossible without 

 foliage. If you mow ofT, or burn over, a strawberry patch with- 

 out injury to the crowns, you will never see a sign ofa fruit-bud 

 till after they have regained a strong foliage; but let a drouth 



