94 Richard Frotschefs Almanac and Garden Manual 



rich at first 5 a top-dressing every three years is all that will 

 Thereafter be required. The seed must be very lightly covered, 

 and should be rolled, or brushed in, if not sowed with a Mat- 

 thew's Seed Sower. 



Whenever the plant is in bloom it must be cut"; for, if the seed 

 be left to mature, the stems become hard and woody. Also, 

 whenever it turns yellow, no matter at what age, it must be cut 

 or mowed; for the yellow color shows the presence of some dis- 

 ease, or the work of some small insect, both of which seems to be 

 remedied by moving xjrouipily. My experience leads me to the 

 conclusion that fully five tons of cured hay per acre may be 

 counted on, if proper attention be given to deep plowing, subsoil- 

 ing, fertilizing and cleanliness of the soil. These things are in- 

 dispensable, and without them no one need attempt to cultivate 

 Alfalfa. 



In conclusion, I will remark that I have tried thf^ Lucerne seed 

 imported by you from France, side by side with the Alfalfa seed 

 sent me by Trumbull & Co., of San Frnncisco, and I cannot see 

 the slightest difference in appearance, character, quantity or qual- 

 ity of yield, or hardiness. They are identical 5 both have ger- 

 minated equally well, that is to say, j^erfectly. 



In closing, I cannot do better than refer you to the little trea- 

 tise of Mr. 0. W. Howard, entitled: "A Manual of the Cultiva- 

 tion of the Grasses and Forage Plants at the South." Mr. How- 

 ard, among the very first to cultivate Lucerne in the South, gives 

 it the preference over all other forage plants whatever. My ex- 

 perience confirms all that Mr. Howard claims for it. Certainly, 

 a plant that lasts a generation is worthy of the bestowal of some 

 time, patience and money to realize what a treasure they can se- 

 cure for themselves. I confidendy believe that in ten years from 

 this date the Alfalfa will be generally cultivated throughout the 

 entire South. 



I am, respectfully yours, 



E. M. HUDSON, 



Counsellor at Law, 



20 Carondelet Street, 



New Orleans. 



STKAWBERRY GROWING IN THE GULF 

 STATES, 



WITH A DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES SUITED TO THE SOIL 



AND CLIMATE, AND BEST METHODS OF GROWING 



AND PROPAGATING THE SAME. 



By S. M. Wiggins, Secretary Fruit Growers' Association. 



In an article written for a former issue of Frotscher^s Almanac 

 and Catalogue, we endeavored to give brief and practical direc- 

 tions as to the best methods of growing this delicious fruit. 



We have had no cause to change our views since that time 

 regarding the methods of culture, with this exception, to impress- 



