250 REPORT ON THE No. 24 



runners are made, they should be placed about six inches apart and held with a 

 little soil so as to give the plants the best chance to develop. After a row of the 

 required width has been formed, later plants should, if possible, be cut out by 

 hand and with the cultivator, so that the rows will not become too crowded nor 

 too wide. A full crop should be obtained the second season. Hill culture and 

 narrow rows are recommended in some quarters, but while finer fruit is obtained 

 than by the matted row system, more labor is involved. 



It is advisable to cover the strawberries lightly with straw after the ground 

 freezes, to prevent the alternate thawing and freezing of the ground in winter 

 and early spring. This covering should be removed in the spring before growth 

 begins. 



To get the best results only one crop should be taken from a strawberry 

 plantation. If the land is very clean and the varieties used do not run much, 

 two crops can be removed with profit. As a rule, however, the labor involved in 

 destroying weeds, and the deterioration in size of fruit, makes it more profitable 

 to plough up the plantation after the first crop. 



It should be thoroughly understood by those intending to plant strawberries 

 that some varieties have imperfect flowers and will not produce fruit unless a 

 perfect flowering sort is planted near to pollenize the imperfect flowers. One 

 row of the perfect variety to three of an imperfect is usually sufficient. There 

 are many new varieties of strawberries introduced every year, but few of these 

 are better or even as good as those already on the market. However, the old 

 kinds are constantly giving place to the new, and it is wise for the fruit grower 

 to learn which new varieties are giving the best results. Many varieties are 

 ■described in this report, but it will be found that but few are recommended. 



Varieties Recommended. 



Commercial : Splendid (Perfect), Bederwood (P.), Warfield (Imperfect), not suited 

 to light, sandy soil, Greenville (Imp.), Williams (P.), Saunders (P.), Sample (Imp.). 

 Irene (Imp.), Buster (Imp.). 



Domestic: Van Deman (P.), Splendid (P.), Excelsior (P.), Dunlap (P.), Ruby 

 <P.), Bubach (Imp.), Irene (Imp.), Belt (P.), Lovett (P.). 



Note — In selecting varieties for planting, perfect-flowered varieties should be 

 included to fertilize those having imperfect flowers. 



DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES 



ANNIE LAURIE. 



This is a very late variety, also one of the best quality. It may be taken as a 

 ■standard for quality and flavor. 



Origin: a seedling grown by John E. Beaver, of Ohio, in T889. 



Plant : very healthy and a go^od grower, making plenty of rtinners for a fruiting 

 row. No rust; perfect blossom; moderately productive. 



Fruit: berries are large and round, like the Jersey Queen, with gold seeds prom- 

 ■vnent. A very bright glossy scarlet, making a fine appearance. 



Flesh: pinkish white, of the very finest quality; a fine table variety. 



Season : late. 



