86 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



otherwise would go to the other side of the account were the man- 

 ag-ement entrusted to outside help. And this leads us to say a 

 word about culture. 



It must be borne in mind that no slip-shod cultivation will do for 

 small fruits if anything like good results are expected to be real- 

 ized. By bestowing the best care, the returns we obtain are not 

 only much better, but they will be in an increased ratio to the 

 amount of cultivation given. No one should be content with giv- 

 ing merely good culture, for his profits will be so much greater by 

 giving exlra dressing and bestowing exlra labor. This applies to 

 all varieties of which mention is made in this paper, but with more 

 force, perhaps, to some varieties than to others ; as, for instance, 

 the same culture and richness of soil is not required for the black- 

 berry as for the strawberry. While the latter will bear any amount 

 of pampering, the former would, with like treatment, run to an in- 

 ordinate amount of wood at the expense of fruit. And another 

 lesson is indicated by this. The peculiar requirements of each 

 variety grown should be studied so that the best mode of cultiva- 

 tion may be known and carried into practice. Like many other 

 things that require a right beginning to reach a successful consum- 

 mation, we need to lay the foundation well. No superstructure of 

 granite can stand upon a quicksand foundation, neither can we 

 attain success and keep abreast in the race in this age of improve- 

 ment, unless we study well and diligently and conform our prac- 

 tice to nature's laws and requirements. 



In this paper we propose to consider somewhat in detail the cul- 

 ture of the strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, gooseberry and 

 currant; these five varieties of small fruits being the ones best 

 adapted to our climate, and with the habits and requirements of 

 which we are best acquainted, so without further preface I will in- 

 vite you to direct your attention towards my strawberry bed. 



Culture of the Strawberry. 



Omitting technical terms and much relating merely to the natural 

 history of the plants under consideration, we will confine what we 

 have to say mainly to the practical part of their culture. The soil 

 best adapted to the culture of the strawberry is a deep, rich loam, 

 slightly tenacious, and inclining somewhat to a sandy loam, or at 

 least containing more or less sand in its composition. Any good 

 garden soil, or land adapted to the growth of corn and potatoes, is 

 good for the strawberry. Richness and depth are essentials not 



