PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 57 



Solon Robinson said that about one-fourth of his arborvitiBS have perished, 

 which at first he attributed to the effect of drought soon after they were 

 planted last spring, but has since modified his opinion, upon finding so 

 many fellow-sufferers. At Bridgeport, Conn., he saw last week a much 

 larger per cent, of most carefully tended hardy evergreens in a dying con- 

 dition. The proprietor attributad the loss to the long continued coating of 

 ice on the trees and on the ground. 



Strawberries — When to Plant. 



Mr. Carpenter said it was very desirable to know that strawberries may 

 be planted even after they have blossomed. This is the season to make 

 strawberry beds. I think they can be planted for several weeks yet, or at 

 any time before they send out runners. 



Rev. Mr. Weaver, of Fordham. — Is it better to transplant strawberries 

 now than in the fall ? I have prepared a bed by very deep trenching; first, 

 through a foot of mold, then a foot of yellow clay, and then one or two feet 

 deeper, to break a hard pan below, which I thought necessary to make a 

 good job. Shall I manure the bed, and what with ? 



Mr. Carpenter. — If set in spring, you will be sure of a good crop nest 

 season, but not so when planted in autumn. The ground Mr. Weaver 

 speaks of is certainly well prepared, though too expensively for a large 

 plantation. I would not use unfermented manure, but would use compost. 

 I apply wood ashes, plaster, and some salt. In ground prepared like that 

 spoken of, manure is less needed, for the roots will penetrate two feet 

 deep. 



John G. Bergen. — There may be places where it will pay to prepare 

 strawberry plats three feet deep — it will not on such land as I cultivate on 

 Long Island. There, if the soil is well prepared one foot deep, it is all- 

 sufficient; and, as a general rule, the expensive sort of preparation recom- 

 mended will deter people from cultivating this fruit. They will say it is 

 too expensive. 



Mr. Carpenter. — The soil of Long Island is very sandj' and well drained; 

 it is not necessary to trench land there, but in some locations where the 

 land is heavy, I find trenching very advantageous. I have seen the roots 

 of strawberry plants two feet deep; the land had been trenched and 

 manured. 



Prof. Nash. — The best manure for strawberries is swamp muck and woods 

 mold; and the best soil is sandy, if muck can be added. It attracts mois- 

 ture, and renders the soil more retentive. Trenching may do in some 

 places, but it is a great mistake to recommend it for all. It would not do 

 on the prairies, where land is cheap and labor dear; while here, where land 

 is worth $300 an acre, and crops in proportion, expensive preparation of 

 the soil will pay for such market crops as are usually cultivated near large 

 cities. A great deal of our land is not plowed over three inches; when we 

 say two feet I think we go to extremes. 



Ml". A. S. Fuller. — Yes; and so will expensive manuring. As a general 

 thing, farmers don't use half manure enough. Manure will pay for using any- 

 where, at its usual cost. I believe that I can use $200 worth of manure upon 

 an acre of strawberries, and make it pay. But, as a general thing, I do not 



