80 ABC OF STRAWBERRY CULTURE. 



long straw makes a better mulch in the paths than cut straw. 

 This is one reason why we put on both kinds. It is not so easi- 

 ly moved out of place by tramping, after it is once trodden 

 down in the paths, and then much more of it can be kept there 

 than could be of cut straw. We think we have enough so it 

 will not dry out under it, in any weather It will be nice to 

 get down on to pick the berries. This heavy mulching will re- 

 tard the ripening a little ; but this is no matter to us. By sav- 

 ing us from frost it may be an advantage. Shipped-in berries 

 break down the market before we can get any ripe any way, 

 the same as it is with early potatoes now. With us, choice 

 berries sell as well late as early that is, as early as it would 

 be possible to get any ripe here. 



Now, this way of mulching is an experiment, from which 

 we hope to get the best results, for reasons given above. Up to 

 this time (June 2) I can see no reason why it is not just perfect. 

 Several fruit-growers from other States were here last week, 

 and, after a careful examination of the mulching, and the 

 thinned wide matted rows, with the ground almost covered 

 with loaded fruit-stems, they one and all said it was the finest 

 half-acre of strawberries they ever saw. Now, I don't want to 

 brag ; but I do believe I am on the right track. Here is a pho- 

 tograph of the piece to show you ; but, of course, you can not 

 see the fruit, and you wouldn't know that many of the leaves 

 are from four to five inches long ; but it will give you a general 

 idea of how the patch looks. 



The quantity of mulching I used may be thought by some 

 to be excessive ; but some very successful growers have put on 

 more. Mr. Sitson, of Pennsylvania, told me that he had put 

 on an acre as high as 1200 bushels of forest-leaves (12 loads 

 drawn on a wagon that would hold 100 bushels), and then two 

 or three tons of straw besides. He has great faith in heavy 

 mulching for small fruits. His strawberries were grown in 

 hills, or narrow rows, when they were mulched so heavily, and 

 were helped through the mulch, of course. I think we shall 



