mm 
THOROUGHBREDS IN THE SUNNY SOUTH. 
■^^HO wouldn't be proud of such possessions as these? We don't have to say there is more than one kind of 
" Thoroughbreds in that scene — the picture tells the story in a most eloquent way. D. B. Lacey of May- 
lene, Ala., is the proud father of that lovely quintet, and also is proud to be the grower of the berries shown. 
The photograph was talcen May 4, 1905. Mr. Lacey writes us May 14: "This plot of berries is 74x52 feet, 
and was set in April, 1904, under very unfavorable conditions, as it was exceedingly dry that month. I have 
gathered over 300 quarts of strawberries and sold some of them at 12%, 15 and 20 cents per quart, and there are 
many more to gather yet. Everybody says they are the finest they ever saw." 
oughly and scientifically sprayed in the propa- 
gating bed. If this has been done at the nursery 
there is very little, if any, danger of larvae, eggs 
or spores being carried on plants to your farm. 
Clean culture is the next best thing. If weeds 
and grass are allowed to grow they afford a 
prolific breeding place for insect pests. Clean 
culture also enables one to get at these enemies 
in a more successful manner for applying in- 
secticides or other methods of destruction, should 
these enemies put in an appearance. 
It also is a safe rule to mow off the vines 
after the fruiting season and burn over the entire 
field. This will make it so hot for the pests 
that they will have to give up and go to the 
place where strawberries do not grow. Crop 
rotation will prevent the multiplication of many 
insect pests by starving them out. Rotation is 
found to be quite effectual in getting rid of the 
corn-root worm; these insects deposit their eggs 
in the corn field in autumn and hatch into worms 
the following spring; but if there is no corn for 
them to feed upon the worms perish. The 
corn-root louse also is checked in this way. 
Fall plowing also gives very good results, as all 
root-eating insects are thus exposed, in one stage 
or another, to the attack of birds or other lovers 
of their carcasses. They also are subjected to 
thawing and freezing. 
It is a well-established fact that plants are 
better able to resist the attacks of insects or 
fungi when they are in a thrifty, growing con- 
dition than when they are weak in vitality; 
therefore, we would recommend such fertiliza- 
tion as will bring about the healthiest growth. 
This is another point in favor of clean culture, 
as it keeps plants in a continuous growth and 
does not allow them to lag or become weakened. 
A great improvement may be made by se- 
lecting from mother plants which are most re- 
sistant to fungus attack. Those with strong 
leaf tissues may always be found in any variety. 
This work receives as much thought and at- 
tention in our breeding beds as any feature along 
the line of plant selection. 
