72 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1906 



For fertilizer I prefer stable manure to chemical fertilizers. 

 For mulching I have used meadow hay and pine needles. I 

 run the hay through the cutter so it is about six inches long. 

 That stays on the ground better than longer hay. 



Me. Marble: On this subject of covering strawberries, it 

 might be well to say that the object of covering is not to protect 

 from the cold but from the sun. It is the sun that kills the 

 strawberiy plants by thawing the ground and thus stimulates 

 the plant. Care must be taken not to cover thick enough to 

 smother the plants. Something that will keep the sun off and 

 let in plenty of air. It is the open winter, with alternate thaw- 

 ing and freezing, that is harmful to strawberries. 



Mr. Moore : It has been remarked that there is not a 

 great supply of new varieties of strawberries. I think as many 

 kinds are put on the market but I do not find it profitable to 

 invest in many new varieties. This Society used to offer a 

 prize for the display of the greatest number of varieties. I 

 used to get this premium whenever I could and use it for buy- 

 ing new varieties. I think it would be well for this Society to 

 spend $2b a year for the introduction of new varieties. It 

 would be well for some one to find out which new strawberries 

 are the best. 



Question: ''Would like to ask about the people who do 

 such a large business at Three Rivers, Michigan. If I under- 

 stand their catalogue, after the berries are taken the leaves are 

 all cut off. I would like to know if I have the right idea about 

 this." Ans. "This is to allow of their being set without 

 transplanting." 



Mr. Ward : I have tried to raise berries two years from 

 the same plants but did not have so good success as with new 

 plants every year. As soon as I get a crop I run the mowing 

 machine through the field. 



Mr. Draper : In our programme for the winter we have not 

 done much in providing for general discussion of fruit topics. 

 We need these discussions to bring out new ideas and new 

 methods. I think it would be a good idea to give experiences, 

 and this has been well started by the remarks of Mr. Ward on 



