no Notes and Gleanings. 



Field culture of the strawberry is very simple. The plants are set in rows 

 four feet apart, and one foot in the row. This requires about ten thousand plants 

 to the acre. A large part of the fields now in fruit have been set much closer ; 

 but the above is now the most approved mode. During the first season, they 

 are thoroughly cultivated, and allowed to make all the runners they choose. 



At the south part of the State, the late annual grasses give them all the mulch- 

 ing they need ; but, in the north part, they must be mulched with prairie hay or 

 straw. In the spring, the mulching, if too thick, is turned from the plants ; but 

 it is intended to be put on just thick enough for the plants to grow up through it : 

 this keeps the berries clean, and the soil moist, — a very important item in straw- 

 berry culture ; for a drought is highly disastrous to the crop. 



No attempt is made at culture until the crop is harvested ; when narrow fur- 

 rows are run through one way about three feet apart, and the weeds are pulled 

 out by hand, or cut off with a scythe. If blue grass {Poa cotnpressa) or June grass 

 {Poa praiense) gtX.s, a strong hold, it is better to give up the plantation, and make 

 a new one. In the south part of the State, these grasses are not natural, and, of 

 course, not in the way. 



Whatever may be thought of the Wilson at the East, here at the West it is 

 not only the market-berry, but is rapidly becoming almost exclusively the one 

 for family use. Our hot suns appear to elaborate its rich acid juice ; and although 

 it may require more sugar 4han the soft varieties, yet it suits the taste of our 

 people. 



The heart-cherries commenced blooming May i ; Early-May, 5th, — dropped 

 the bloom May 19. Apples in full bloom, May 20. Pear and plum out of bloom, 

 20th. Strawberry beginning to bloom, loth ; bloom killed, 12th ; in full bloom. 

 20th. Purple-cane and Doolittle Raspberry beginning to bloom, June 4. Pear 

 crop moderate ; plum crop the same. Early-May cherry, full crop ; large Eng- 

 lish Marvels, the same ; other cherries of little value. Gooseberry and currant, 

 partially injured by frost. Apple crop, full. Peach, fair crop. Grapes promise 

 full crop. Season full three weeks late : weather improving. 



Champaign, III., June s, 1867. iJ/. £,. Dimlap. 



Gladiolus Culture. — Bulbs. — Be sure that the bulbs which you save 

 yourself, or those which you purchase, are thoroughly well dried ; and, in planting, 

 reject any that have black spots around and on the base of the bulb. They may 

 be planted in a separate corner of the garden, if you are anxious to save the 

 variety ; for such a bulb may produce a tiny offset that may be planted : but it is 

 sure to make a blank in your best bed, if you plant it there. Do not choose, for 

 planting, the largest-sized bulbs, but those of a medium size : they will flower 

 better, and give more satisfaction. 



Soil. — Manure highly in the autumn ; dig in plenty of old cucumber-frame 

 dung, and let it remain until planting-time, unless there be much frost, when 

 turning it up, and sweetening it by exposure, will be of great benefit. 



Planting. — Let this be done according to the season. The end of April, 

 or middle of May, is a very good time. Even if the bulbs have speared a 



