A B C OF STRAWBERRY CULTURE. 11 



ate, canned, and gave away, nearly twenty bushels. The year 

 before, we canned and ate thirteen bushels. Did we use so 

 many more because they were so much better than those 

 we bought ? Not entirely. Our minister was here to supper 

 during berry time last year. When he noticed the great heap- 

 ing saucers full at each plate he remarked : ' ' Berries are a 

 luxury with us in town ; but I see they are a common article of 

 food with you. ' ' That is it exactly. Why should they not be ? 

 It takes but a few rods of land and a little labor, if system- 

 atized, to grow them. It is one of the compensations for our 

 isolation out here in the country. God does not give all good 

 things to any one class of people. Our minister can step right 

 into church, or a lecture, or to the depot, dryshod, and get his 

 mail while it is fresh. During the past winter of 1889 we liter- 

 ally had to wallow in the mud to get to town. But when it is 

 hot and dusty in town next summer, we can live on strawber- 

 ries and cream in a way our minister can not afford. And we 

 shall have better health all summer for it too. God arranged 

 to have strawberries come just at the time when we need them. 

 They are Nature's spring medicine. I get better-natured every 

 day after they come, and they are the best medicine to take I 

 ever got hold of. 



Then they give the women-folks a rest, too, from baking 

 and cooking at least they do so at our house. We almost live 

 on strawberries and nice bread and butter, and milk and cream, 

 for three weeks. Meat and potatoes, and particularly pies and 

 cake and puddings, get a good deal of a rest. Of course, we 

 want some more solid food than strawberries, but it is usually 

 the most simple kind. One season that we kept count, we had 

 strawberries on the table for 66 meals in succession, just as free 

 as water. We call that living. Some farmers say they do not 

 care much for strawberries. Never mind what they say. There 

 isn't one man in fifty who wouldn't enjoy a big dish of large, 

 fully ripe Downing strawberries and cream, and be sorry when 

 the last berry was swallowed. 



