16 



RAISING NEW SORTS. 



We are aware there are those " voting-f or- Jackson" men that believe we have 

 brought Small Fruits to perfection, and that there is no necessity for further effort in 

 this line. It will be time to settle down in this belief when we succeed in raising a 

 strawberry equal to the Wilson's Albany in firmness and productiveness on all soils;- 

 to the Hooker and Burr's New Pine in deliciousness, and to the Jucunda in size aad 

 color ; and we will further add, that we will give one thousand dollars for the stock 

 of any new sort (if not under 100 plants) that combines the above qualities. 



"We believe the time is coming that such a berry will be produced. We want a 

 raspberry, too, equal to the Mammoth Cluster in productiveness, firmness, and hardi- 

 ness ; to the Brinckle's Orange in flavor ; and to the Fastolff in size and color ; and 

 also other Small Fruits — blackberries, currants, gooseberries, &c, with like desirable 

 qualities and characteristics. 



It is but little trouble to those who have the time and taste for such things, to grow 

 new seedlings ; besides, there is a great amount of interest and pleasure attached to it 

 that makes it a very pleasant occupation. The first important point is to save the seed 

 at the proper time — that is when the seed is fully ripe. Allow the berries to get dry, 

 and then rub thetn out of the flesh. Sow them in pots of light, rich mould, or in a 

 tied of light earth, in rows three or four inches apart, in July or August. Press them 

 into the soil with the back of the hoe, .and keep the ground regularly watered. In 

 two to four weeks they will make their appciuanco. Cover through the winter with 

 some coarse evergreen boughs or brush of trees. In the sprbig transplant the proper 

 distance. The second season they will produce fruit. 



MANURES. 



Space will not allow us to give any extended remarks on tliis heading. Rich prairie 

 soils we do not consider so strictly necessary to manure, as those of a lighter and 

 poorer nature. Of course, the poorer the soil the more manure . required, and the 

 more thoroughly it should .be incorporated into the ground. We would advise deep 

 plowing, — using a subsoil plow, if possible, in all soils where it can be worked. We 

 have reference to those subsoil plows that follow the ordinary plow, merely loosening 

 the underground, and not throwing it up to the surface. In most cases where it hag 

 never been used, it will be found as beneficial as a good coating of manure ; hence 

 our urging it under this heading. 



The best way of using manure on rich prairie soils, is to scatter it over the surface 

 after the ground has been plowed, and working it in with the cultivator and hoe. ' By 

 so doing, it prevents the surface from "baking," and, keeps it in a loose, light condi- 

 tion, hence it does not suffer from the drouth so badly. 



We consider thoroughly decomposed bam-yard manure unexcelled. If not to be 

 had in sufficient quantities,- mix with it, in alternate layers, muck, leaf mould, sods 

 from the roadside, comers of fences, leached ashes, lime, salt, &c. Have the whole 

 pile thrown over once or twice, and well mixed together. The value of such a com- 

 post can be easily seen by scattering a very little among the strawberry plants, or 

 ground other Small Fruits. Those parties who wish to go into the Small Fruit busi- 

 ness, but are deterred by the poor character of their soil, and a supposed lack of ma- 

 nure, should read " Ten Acres Enough," and learn what can be done by any energetic 

 man. 



Coarse manures should not be used — especially on light, sandy soils. If manures 

 are not on hand, or ready for immediate use— that is, for Spring planting— the plants 

 can be set, and the manure scattered among them in July or August, with very satis- 

 factory results. 



Land that has been badly " run," can be put in splendid condition for fruits In one 

 season by sowing peas or corn broadcast early in the Spring, and when it gets two 

 feet high, plow under and immediately sow another crop, and plow this under at the 

 proper time. By this method a foul piece of land can be subdued and brought into 

 fine plight f Or planting. 



All successful market gardeners and Small Fruit growers agree that it is hopeless to 

 grow good crops, without a yearly application of manure in large quantities. Hen- 

 derson's Gardening says : 



" It is a grave blunder to attempt to grow vegetable crops without the use of ma- 

 nures of the various kinds. I never yet saw soils of any kind that had borne a crop 

 of vegetables that would produce as good a crop the next season without the use of 



