262 Success with Small Fruits. 



a half feet for cultivation and water. The water is allowed to' run between these 

 ridges, and, of course, wets the roots effectually. It will be perceived that the 

 ground must be nearly level. I cannot tell how often these rows are watered, 

 but frequently. The proper season for planting is as early in the winter as the 

 ground can be put in order from November ist, all winter the earlier the better. 

 If planted early, a fair crop of berries may be expected the next summer. For many 

 years, the Longworth's Prolific and Peabody Seedling were the varieties generally 

 grown. Recently, some other varieties have been introduced, but are mostly con- 

 fined to the hands of amateurs. The Monarch of the West has, however, certainly 

 secured a strong foothold among the large growers. This berry commanded a 

 much larger price in the market than the old varieties. I just remark respecting 

 irrigation, that, of course, as you will see, the object of planting upon ridges is to 

 place the vines so high that when the water is let in, the berries will be above its 

 reach. Nearly all our large growers let their fields to Chinamen, who do all the 

 work, boarding themselves, for half the net proceeds." 



"SAN JOSE, Cal. 



" In answer to your letter, asking about irrigation, I would state that in the first 

 place, we grade the land, after first plowing and harrowing it. We do not like to do 

 too much grading. If the land is very uneven, we make the rows conform to it, 

 bringing the water on the highest portions, and cutting escape ditches through the 

 low parts, so that the water can run off readily. The rows are made three feet 

 apart, and every alternate row is shoveled or plowed out to make a shallow ditch 

 about three or four inches deep. Soil is thrown on or between the alternate rows, 

 making the ground look like small beds. The plants are set in rows about six 

 inches from the edge of the ditches. We are now ready for the water, which is 

 nearly all taken from artesian wells. The first year, the plants do not require so 

 much moisture ; but the second year, we water about once a week. We keep all 

 runners cut off. 



J. H. OGIER." 



" BROWN'S VALLEY, YUBA Co., tal. 



" My business is raising strawberries and blackberries for market, which is 

 eleven miles distant, and I send all my fruit by stage. I have experimented with 

 all leading varieties, since Orange Judd introduced the Agriculturist, but succeed 

 best with Triomphe de Gand, Longworth's Prolific, Jucunda and Colonel Cheney. 

 The latter is rather soft to carry so far to market. I commence sending to market 

 about the middle of April. About the middle of June, the Triomphe begins to 

 ripen a second crop. Last year, they were the largest and finest berries I ever saw. 

 In September, the Jucunda bears a third crop. From May until October, we 

 depend entirely on irrigation. Our soil is red, stiff and heavy. I use abundantly 

 well-rotted stable manure and barn-yard compost. I prepare by deep plowing, and 

 then harrowing. I then go over the ground for the plants with Hexamer's 

 pronged hoe, making the soil very fine. I set the plants two feet apart each way, 

 and where each one is to grow, I work in a large shovelful of manure deeply and 



