652 Traksactions of the Amehican Institute. 



plants are " heaved out" Ly tliis expanding and contracting of the 

 soil. It is not unusual to see large fields of young clover destroyed 

 from the same cause. On close examination, it will be found that 

 most of the roots of the clover are broken off a few inches below the 

 surface. Any refuse material will answer for mulching strawberries ; 

 spent tan, hay, straw, leaves from the woods, leaf-mold, or long 

 manure. In case the strawberry bed needs fertilizing, then a light 

 coating of long manure, spread evenly over the beds or rows, will 

 answer a double purpose. Each succeeding rain or snow storm will 

 carry down to tlie roots of the plants the soluble portions of the 

 manure, while the vines are protected by the mulch. If spent tan is 

 accessible it will answer a good purpose, and the acid of the tan cer- 

 tainly improves tlie flavor of the berries. The other articles recom- 

 mended for mulching may be applied when convenient, either before 

 or after the ground is frozen. It is not necessarj' to put on a heavy 

 coating ; enough to cover the surface of the ground and foliage of 

 the plants will be found quite sufflcient. When leaves are used a 

 little earth should be spread on top of them to prevent the wind from 

 blowing them about. If the strawberry beds are clean, free from 

 weeds and grass, then this mulch is drawn between the rows or hills 

 in the spring, and left there until the strawberries are gathered. 

 Practical strawberry growers find summer mulching quite as essential 

 as winter. It keeps the weeds down, the surface moist, and the fruit 

 free from dirt or sand. 



Any person who took the trouble to notice the condition of straw- 

 berries coming from different sections to the Xew York market last 

 season, must have observed that berries with grains of sand or dirt 

 attached, brouglit less than the same size and (juality of berries that 

 were clean. 



Adjourned. 



January 11, 1870. 



Nathan C. Ely, Esq., in tlie chair; JonN W. Cuambeus, Esq., Secretary. 

 Proi'^it from Cows. 

 Mr. E. K. Wattles, Sidney, Delaware county. New York. — I liave 

 milked thirteen cows the past season. Two of them are two-year 

 old heifers, and two three-year olds ; the others varying from four to 

 fourteen years old. I commenced making butter the sixth day of 

 April ; sold tlie first package the fifteentli ; made and soUl dnring the 



