'OX 

 trfTIVE'B'SlTYl 



Six 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



SUGGESTIVE EXPERIENCES FROM WIDELY SEPARATED LOCALITIES. 



IT is often said that there is no teaching like experience, and in view of 

 this sound principle I am led to quote from a few of the letters that I 

 have received. These statements, from successful and intelligent culti- 

 vators, throw side lights on the preceding pages from various stand-points. 

 I would advise the reader to note carefully the adaptation of different 

 varieties to different parts of the country. As we have just been discuss- 

 ing the subject of irrigation, I will first quote from California letters, since 

 they touch on this topic. 



From Mr. James Shinn's interesting communication, I take the following 

 facts : 



" NILES, ALAMEDA Co., Cal. 



" The greater part of the strawberries consumed in San Francisco are grown 

 in the neighborhood of San Jose, some fifty miles south of the city. We are situated 

 about half-way between, in the great valley that borders the bay of San Francisco. 

 We have occupied this place over twenty years, and have made observations upon 

 the culture of small fruits, and have always grown more or less ourselves. While, 

 therefore, I do not claim to be authority on the points you inquire about, I feel 

 pretty safe in mentioning one or two things in this connection, that I can hardly be 

 mistaken about : 



"First Those who plant extensively for market make it a sine qua non to 

 have at hand plenty of water ; except in very favored localities, they can't be grown 

 to profit without this essential. I know that the plants are planted on each side of 

 a small ridge, previously thrown up for the purpose. The vines along the ridge 

 stand twelve to fifteen inches apart. The space between the ridges allows three and 



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