FRUITS AND FLOWERS. 297 



desideratum Ave apprehend in the culture of this fine fruit, is 

 for every one to ascertain, by trial, what varieties do best in his 

 soil, and to cultivate to any extent those only. 



John M. Ives, Chairman. 



Letter of N. Page, Jr., to the Secretary. 



Strawberry Culture. — A.ccording to request, I now present 

 a few notes on strawberry culture. My experience has not 

 been very great, but I find it of some value to me, and if those 

 who have less shall be benefited by such items as I may give, 

 they are welcome. 



It is not necessary to make any remarks on the use of straw- 

 berries, or their value as a market crop, while it is so well 

 known that it requires many thousands of boxes yearly, to sup- 

 ply cities no larger than Salem, or Lawrence. Strawberries 

 may be considered a luxury, but they are a necessity also, and 

 so many are now grown that the poor as well as rich, even in 

 our cities, can enjoy their bowl of strawberries and milk. 



The best soil for strawberries is a deep loam, somewhat 

 gravelly, on a gravel or other porous subsoil. Garden soils that 

 have been long tilled, are not so good as newer soils. Worn 

 out fields and old pastures make good strawberry plantations. 

 Those who possess them may select soils perfectly adapted to 

 their wants, but the first question with most is, how to prepare 

 those not so congenial. There is no invariable rule — not any 

 general method even — for inexperienced cultivators to pursue. 

 The true methods of operation will be as various as are the 

 soils to be operated upon ; and, again, they will be modified by 

 the extent of our grounds, the varieties we intend to cultivate, 

 &c. But there are some general results to be kept in view, and 

 each cultivator must judge for himself how he can best obtain 

 them. 



1. Clear your grounds of all kinds of iveeds and grasses and 

 their seeds. This may be done before setting the plants, and 

 cannot well be done after. A good way to do this, is to plough 

 in the first crop that starts in spring very deeply, and when the 

 second crop shows itself, harrow in well across the furrows. 

 The third crop may be turned under with a cultivator, and the 



