A PERFECTLY EUUEPFED PiLCKlKG HOUSE. 
'T'HIS pictiiie slio\v» the interior of our packing house, which is the largest and conipletest one in the world 
* devoted exclusively to counting and packing strawberry plants. More than one hundred people are employed 
in this building. The counting is all done by careful women. Everj' department is under a responsible foreman. 
Each variety has its own stall and every bunch is labelled, which precludes any possible chance for mistakes. No 
talking or whispering during \vorking hotirs; every detail of the business is dispatched with absolute accuracy. 
First, it holds the plants dormant and keeps them 
strong so they will be able to do heavy work 
when the proper time comes. Second, it holds 
moisture and keeps the ground at a more even 
temperature during a dry, hot season, ani this 
prevents the berries from ripening all at once, 
while moisture adds to size and uniformity. 
Third, the raiii drops first strike the mulching, 
then soak gradually down into the soil, prevent- 
ing the splashing of dirt or sand upon the berries 
and keeping them clean. This alone will make 
enough difference in price over dirty fruit to 
more than doubly pay the cost of mulching, be- 
sides adding to the grower's reputation. 
As to what this mulch covering shall be com- 
posed makes very little difference. Wheat, 
rye or oat straw most generally is used; marsh 
hay is used in some places, and it makes a very 
good mulching. The fodder from thickly sown 
com is excellent, as it never contains any weed 
seeds and always stays just where it is placed. 
It should be cut before the leaves get fully 
ripened so it will remain tough. 
In the spring, just as soon as growth begins, 
go over the strawberry field and part the mulch- 
ing directly over the row. This is best done 
by taking a common fork and working it lightly 
back and forth over the plants, leaving an equal 
amount of covering on each side of the row 
Marketing Strawberries 
BIG, red, well-formed berries neatly put up 
in boxes, form an attraction that none may 
resist, and the grower who raises berries 
of this kind and brings them to market is as 
sure of a ready sale at a good price as he is 
that the sun will rise in the east on the morrow. 
You never hear folks who grow Kellogg's 
Thoroughbreds and follow their cultural meth- 
ods complain of slow sales or low prices. 
One of the first steps to success in commer- 
cial berry growing is to build up a trade in your 
particular product. If you use a label and 
make every box bearing that label a " 'pon 
honor" box; you will not be long in doing it. 
People will soon learn your honest methods 
and call for berries bearing your label. After 
your reputation is established your berries will 
sell on their merits and w ill become famous. 
There are a number of ways in which ber- 
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