234 Success with Small Fruits. 



that they may possess the power of resisting attack; the other is to make war 

 directly upon them by artificial means. Of course, the first method is most 

 applicable or practicable against the more minute species, such as the plant-lice, 

 rust, smut and mildew. I do not recommend forcing plants to extremes, in order 

 to enable them to resist their enemies, as this might work an irreparable injury ; but 

 the condition to be aimed at should be a healthy, vigorous growth ; for, anything 

 beyond this is more the sign of weakness than strength. 



" The half-starved, overworked and uncared-for horse is sure, sooner or later, 

 to become the prey of various kinds of internal and external parasites, which are 

 thrown off, or successfully resisted in their attacks, by the healthy, vigorous and well- 

 fed animal ; and the same principle holds good all through the animal and vegetable 

 kingdoms whether the subject be a man, horse, sturdy oak, or delicate strawberry 

 plant. Not that all diseases are due to loss of vigor through starvation and neglect ; 

 but that a large number of them are is well known." 



STRAWBERRIES. 



We all have seen these principles verified. In the Great American 

 strawberry, I think, we have an example of feebleness resulting from 

 over-stimulation. The Wilson Seedling, that, in the local vernacular, is 

 sometimes said to be " running out," is, in contrast, the consequence of 

 starvation, neglect, and long-continued propagation from poor, mixed 

 stock. Feebleness can scarcely be called a disease, and yet it is best 

 counteracted by the tonic treatment suggested by Mr. Fuller. 



In loose, light soils, the Aphis, or Green Fly, often penetrates to the 

 roots of strawberry plants in immense numbers, and they suck away life 

 or vitality. The tonic of wood ashes scattered over the rows will usually 

 destroy the pests. Refuse from the tobacco factory is also recommended. 



I think that wood ashes and bone dust are excellent preventives of 

 burning or sun-scalding. They give the plants such vigor that they are 

 able to resist sudden or great climatic changes, from heat to cold, or from 

 drought to moisture. 



Many varieties are enfeebled by their disposition to run profusely. 

 Kerr's Prolific, for example, will speedily sod the ground w'th small, puny 

 plants, whose foliage will burn so badly that the fruit can scarcely mature. 

 Set out these small plants, and give the tonic treatment of cutting off all 

 runners, and large, bushy stools, with vigorous foliage and superb fruit, will 

 result. Indeed, next to fertilizers and moisture, there is nothing that so 

 enhances the vigor and productiveness of a plant as clipping the runners 

 as fast as they appear. The uncurbed habit of running depletes almost 

 like disease; and but few varieties will make large fruit buds and runners 

 at the same time. 



