STRAWBERRY- CULTURE IN ILLINOIS. 



Strawberry-Culture has now assumed such proportions, that it has 

 need of science to enable it to guard against the accidents of the seasons. 

 While it was a mere art, the crop was subject to varied results ; but, when 

 we bring science to aid this art, we produce large annual crops with as 

 much certainty as the most favored staple of the farm. 



Thus far, the Wilson is the only variety that has given universal satisfac- 

 tion in this State for market-planting. 



Planting in rows is the more common mode ; but the true system is, 

 doubtless, to cultivate in hills, and renew the plantation after three or four 

 crops. The row system has been fully described in the Journal, and I will 

 discuss that of hills. 



Where we cannot have the land tile-drained, it should be back-furrowed 

 two or three ploughings, so as to lay it up in beds two rods wide : this will 

 give pretty fair surface-drainage, and the bed will have a good depth of 

 tillage. The plants may be set, at any time when the weather is favorable, 

 from April to first of September ; but, on account of the liability to drought, 



