42 



both the insects and their eggs. Plants should never be ordered 

 from sections where the worm abounds. 



INJURY BY FROST IN SPRING. 



It is not an uncommon occurrence to catch a late frost just 

 when strawberry plants of the earliest varieties are in flower. 

 This is sure to result in a partial or total destruction of the 

 crop. All at once we find ourselves at the mercy of the weather, 

 after having taxed our skill to the utmost in our efforts for suc- 

 cess. We look over our fields, a day or two after a frost, only 

 to find the incipient fruit black and blighted, and realize fully 



that 



" The best-laid schemes o 1 mice an' men 

 Gang aft a-gley." 



The injury is sometimes so slight as not to be apparent for a 

 time, the fruit not being killed, but only touched at the apex, 

 causing imperfect development, the formation of " buttons," 

 as they are called. Such varieties as have long fruit stems and 

 hold their flowers high above the foliage, are especially liable 

 to injury. Among these may be named the Sharpless, Crystal 

 City, Captain Jack, and Kentucky. The later-flowering sorts, 

 and those having only short fruit-stalks, well protected by 

 leaves, are more exempt from injury. 



Can anything be done to ward off the mischief that threatens 

 in all frosty sections? The answer is : First, select an elevated 

 tract of land, as little subject to frosts as possible, where winds 

 are unobstructed, in preference to that which is low and level. 

 It is well known that frost is not so likely to form where there 

 is a free movement of air. Second, make yourself familiar with 

 the habit of growth of the different varieties, and choose those 

 having short fruit-stalks, well protected by leaves. Third, if 

 the plot is not large, smoke may be made to drift over the bed, 

 so as to prevent all injury. This, if seasonable arrangements 

 are made to light up, is not attended with much labor or expense. 

 Sawdust, fine shavings from a planing-mill, dampened a little, 

 leather chips from a shoe-factory, weeds, or any waste material 

 about the farm, may be used. This is not mere theory, as 

 instances are not rare where the strawberry crop and tender gar- 

 den plants have been successfully protected in this way. But a 



