THE STRAWBERRY MARCH 1906 



licans in their interest in this universally 

 popular measure. Not a vote against it 

 was recorded by members coming from 

 west of the Alleghanies or south of the 

 Ohio. Now the matter is in the hands 

 of the senate, the leaders of which are 

 well known to be opposed to the pro- 

 visions of this measure. What will they 

 do with it.'' That they will dare to vote 

 against the bill in toto is not believed. It 

 is said, however, that they will present a 

 "joker" in the form of an amendment 

 that will kill the measure, so far as its 

 practical effectiveness is concerned. The 

 growing intelligence of the people, and 

 the unusual popular interest attaching to 

 this particular measure, lead all to hope 

 that the senate will think better of it and 

 vote for the bill as it has passed the 

 house. 



Bees and Strawberries 

 By Stephen N. Green 



EVERY strawberry-grower recog- 

 nizes the si'preme importance of 

 the proper fertilization of the straw- 

 berry flower as a first step to a good crop. 

 But very few ever give enough attention 

 as to how this is accomplished. They 

 trust this part to nature; but in these days 

 of intensive cultivation it pays to study 

 nature, to learn her ways, and to conform 

 to them or assist them. It is all the 

 more necessary to understand this matter 

 on account of the imperfect flower in the 

 strawberry, which has been developed by 

 persistent selection in a certain direction. 

 You are familiar with the strawberry 

 flower in a general way; but let us give it 

 a closer examination, especially in its re- 

 lation to the bee. First will be noticed 

 the white petals which serve to attract 

 the bee. At the base of these are the 

 anthers, which bear the pollen, these be- 

 ing absent, of course, in imperfect flow- 

 ers. Near the base of the anthers may 

 be seen, under favorable circumstances, 

 tiny drops of glistening nectar which, to- 

 gether with the pollen, is what the bees 

 seek. Next is the core, or torus. Upon 

 the proper development of this depends 

 the entire crop. Upon the torus are the 

 achenia, or seeds. Upon the achenia 

 will be noticed the stigmas, which, when 

 withered, are so noticeable in canned 

 strawberries. 



The bee, seeing the white flower, 

 alights upon the only solid resting-place, 

 the achenia, and from that position gath- 

 ers the nectar and pollen. Turning in 

 these operations she is liberally sprinkled 

 with pollen, which adheres to her legs 

 and body. Flying to the next flower she 

 repeats the operation and, too, disposes of 

 some of the pollen attached to her upon 

 ihe waiting stigmas of the seeds. 



If the achenium is not fertilized there 

 is no development of the torus at that 

 point, but it remains shrunken, green and 

 hard, thus resulting in the small knotty 



. 



It is the Rim that counts, that makes the 



Wax-Lined Paper Berry Baskets different from all 

 others; that makes it attractive, that makes it Strong 



We recently received the following letter from a prominent 

 fruit grower in West Virginia: 



"The sample baskets were received in good condition, and I did as 

 you requested, placing one of the baskets In a pail of water overnight, 

 and to my surprise it stood the test all right. I will send in my order 

 in the spring, and will recommend them to others." 



This testimonial was unsolicited and speaks for itself. 

 Let us send you a trial lot for this season, and next season 

 you will order your entire supply from us. 



Sdmple anj Catalogue Free 



MULLEN BROS. PAPER CO., 



Dept. B. ST. JOSEPH, MICH. 



Pige 59 



