48o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
July 1 
THE HOME OF THE STRAWBERRY. 
A HOTBED OF STRAWBERRY GROWERS. 
Radical Methods and Extra Results. 
[EDITORIAL correspondence. I 
( Continued .) 
Irrigation Not Effectual. —Mr. Je- 
rolaman says that irrigation alone will 
not save strawberries in a dry, hot time. 
Of course, they need water, but a plen¬ 
tiful supply of this is liable to affect the 
berries unfavorably on the under side, 
if not to rot them outright, and will not 
prevent their being burned and blis¬ 
tered by the hot sun. Shading seems to 
be effective so far as the sun is con¬ 
cerned. From one of his shaded rows, 
75 feet long, 18 inches wide, set the mid¬ 
dle of August, Mr. .Terolaman said that 
he would get 100 quarts, and from the 
way the berries were piled up on the 
ground, I have no reason to doubt it. 
Great quantities of stable manure have 
been used, and the ground is completely 
filled with humus, so that this is a great 
help to overcome the effects of drought. 
Setting the Plants. —On the land to 
be set to strawberries, a good coat of 
well-rotted barnyard manure is plowed 
in, unless tbe land is already rich, when 
this is not needed. After the plants 
have started to grow, the ground is cov¬ 
ered close up to the plants with well- 
rotted manure. This protects them, and 
being thoroughly rotted, contains no 
weed seeds to give trouble afterwards. 
The plants are set with the crowns just 
even with the surface of the ground, and 
this is a very important point in their 
future usefulness. They are hoed and 
kept free from grass and weeds until the 
ground freezes, after which they are 
covered with enough salt hay to hide 
them from sight—about one inch. 
Tn Spring, this mulch is removed, the 
ground is cultivated and hoed, and the 
mulch returned between the rows, and 
close around the plants. This keeps 
down weeds, keeps the soil moist, and 
keeps the fruit clean. The last is a very 
important point in the production of 
fancy fruit, and is where many of the 
southern berry growers fail. Their ber¬ 
ries come covered with sand and dirt. 
It may he impracticable for some of 
them who grow such large areas to 
mulch them properly, but when we con¬ 
sider the prices that some of them get, 
it would seem wiser for them to grow 
fewer acres, and produce fruit of better 
quality. Salt hay is cheap in this part 
of the country, and is a most excellent 
mulching material, as it contains no 
weed seeds, and can be packed closely 
around the plants. Where it is not 
available, other material would have to 
be used, but unless it is free from weed 
seeds, it would entail no end of trouble 
and enormous expense in keeping the 
beds clean. Many of the beds here are 
run for several years, and no weed is 
ever allowed to grow for any length oj 
time. The entire ground is devoted to 
the production of fine fruit. 
Picking and Marketing. —A large 
number of pickers are employed. This 
is very particular work, and only careful 
help is wanted. Many of these pickers 
have been employed for years, and 
know just what is wanted of them. 
Most of them are paid by the quart, two 
cents being the ruling price. Some are 
paid by the hour. The berries must be 
picked clean and carefully handled; they 
should be handled only by the stems. 
Two grades are made while picking. At 
Mr. Jerolaman’s, a young woman pre¬ 
sided at the packing-shed, and a boy 
brought in the full baskets from the dif¬ 
ferent pickers. The berries were in¬ 
spected, and the number tallied on a 
sheet of paper opposite the picker’s 
name. Then they are carefully packed 
in the common crates, a card tacked on 
giving the name of the variety, and of 
the grower, and they are ready for mar¬ 
ket. 
The berries that are picked in the 
morning go to Newark at once, while 
those picked during the afternoon are 
sent to New York at night, reaching 
there in time for the early morning mar¬ 
ket. The wagons deliver them directly 
to the commission merchants; there is 
no shipping by railroad. This not only 
saves transportation charges, but en¬ 
ables the growers to know just the con¬ 
dition in which their berries arrive in 
market. 
High Prices. —Prices received for the 
fancy fruit this year were what one 
might think satisfactory to the growers. 
Of course, the drought decreased the 
south Jersey crop to a serious extent, 
and this helped the growers here. Re¬ 
turns received the morning of my visit 
were 30 cents per quart for fancy fruit. 
Mr. Jerolaman showed me a letter from 
a New York firm offering him 18 cents a 
quart for all his “culls.” The latter 
were as good as many of the fancy ber¬ 
ries which some localities send. 
It costs a good sum to set, cultivate, 
care for and market an acre of straw¬ 
berries, but the income from an acre of 
fancy fruit is something to make a 
grain farmer open his eyes. Mr. .Ter¬ 
olaman has 10 acres of land in his home 
place, completely covered with the vari¬ 
ous fruits, never having more than three 
or four acres of strawberries. He told 
me that during some years he had, for 
11 days in succession, received more 
than $1,000 a day for strawberries, and 
that several different years he had sold 
more than enough fruit to pay for the 
whole place each year. But this place is 
in a high state of fertility, every foot of 
ground almost is occupied, the varieties 
grown are such as sell for high prices, 
the best methods of culture and market¬ 
ing are employed, and business prin¬ 
ciples are practiced at every step. The 
results tell the story. f. it. v. 
(To he continued.) 
WHAT WHEAT FOR SEED? 
One of our readers in Michigan sends us 
11><' following ouestion: 
Which would be the best to use for seed, 
wheat from this year’s crop, ("where 70 per 
cent of it was winter-killed) or wheat kept 
over from last season? Ts what lived 
through last Winter, a case of the survival 
of the fittest, or would the vitality of the 
whole he weakened? What is your opinion 
regarding this matter? Do you think there 
is any extra virtue in seed from a full 
crop, or would seed from this year’s crop, 
of which a large proportion has killed out, 
he just as good? 
All things being equal, I prefer seed 
wheat grown on a field that has made a 
strictly first-class crop of large-sized, 
plump kernels, and that has yielded, say 
30 and 40 bushels per acre. I have never 
had any experience whatever in sowing 
wheat from poor fields, as I have been 
fortunate every since I have been farm¬ 
ing in having an average yield the entire 
time of about 30 bushels per acre on a 
large acreage, and have never had oc¬ 
casion to use wheat from inferior fields. 
EDWARD F. DTRRT.E. 
As we improve cattle, sheep and 
swine, not only by selecting and mating 
properly, but by proper care with the 
right kinds of food in the right, quantity, 
so we shall improve wheat hy giving it 
the very best of treatment as to soil, 
climate and surroundings in connection 
with suitable selection. As I look at it, 
a sensible farmer would not attempt to 
improve his live stock hy wintering 
them at a strawstack. neither would he 
attempt to improve wheat hy subjecting 
it to severe tests of soil or climate. For 
the good wheat regions of Michigan, I 
would prefer the seed wheat from a 
good crop in 1898, to that from a very 
light crop in 1899. w. j. real. 
We prefer always seed from a full 
crop, if we can get it; not only is the 
seed plumper and of better germination, 
but what is more important, it will hold 
its germination longer than seed from, 
say half a crop. We do not think there 
is much in the “survival of the fittest” 
idea in connection with the case cited. 
We would test both lots for germination, 
and use the stronger growing of the 
two; we would prefer that, everything 
else being equal in the matter of purity 
of Stock, etc. PETER HENDERSON & CO. 
Probably the thinner stand of this 
season would stool out more freely, and 
having greater room in which to de¬ 
velop, would make larger heads and 
larger grains, if the weather conditions 
were favorable. Or if the weather was 
quite dry, the growth from the plants 
might be quite weak, from their con¬ 
tinued struggle with the severe cold in 
the Winter, and the grain deficient in vi¬ 
tality. 
We would suggest as the best plan in 
a case of this character, to prepare 
small, measured lots of soil as soon as 
this year’s crop is dry enough to seed, 
and sow the two places with equal quan¬ 
tities of last year’s wheat and the crop 
of this season for a comparison. In 
moist weather, these would germinate in 
a short time, and the reader could read¬ 
ily tell at a glance which would prove 
to be the most desirable for his field 
seeding. Or if the weather were quite 
dry, the same experiment could be made 
in shallow boxes of earth in partial 
shade, where they could he readily 
watered until the seed started to grow. 
W. ATLEE BURPEE & CO. 
WHAT EARLY APPLES 
FOR MARKET AND HOME USE? 
What varieties of early apples have you 
found best for market and home use? Do 
you find anything better than Tetofski? Is 
there a profitable market for early apples 
in your locality? 
I find nothing better than Red Astra- 
chan and Yellow Transparent. Apples, 
when properly handled and cared for, 
both early and second early, I would 
not discard from the farm. Hagloe we 
have found to be one of the best second- 
early varieties, and the Long-stem 
Strawberry another. j. w. killen. 
Delaware. 
The best two apples for our market 
are Early Harvest or Sour Bough and 
Gravenstein, the one following the 
other; the latter is one of the best, for 
it can be used in any way, and is an ex¬ 
cellent eating apple. The habit of the 
tree is A No. 1, a very strong grower, 
and an immense bearer. I had 20 bar¬ 
rels from three trees last year, and a 
promise of some this, from one tree in 
particular, that has not borne as freely 
as the others. I picked a leaf that 
measured 6x3% inches, a week or so 
ago, which I think was the largest I 
ever saw. The Sour Bough is a much 
slower grower, but a heavy bearer, but 
very tender, and needs picking before it 
is too ripe. Of the two varieties you 
named, I know only the Astrachan, 
which I think is too short-lived (I mean 
the apple). For a sub-acid apple, I 
know no better than the Johnson; it is 
tender, bright-red in color, and comes 
along nearly with the Gravenstein, but 
gets mealy if left on the tree too long. 
Connecticut. dennis fenn. 
The Red Astrachan is, probably, the 
best very early apple for our market, as 
it is a sure and abundant bearer, and 
when properly grown, and picked just at 
the right time, presents a very hand¬ 
some appearance. I think, however, it 
requires more care and judgment in 
spraying to protect it from the Codling 
moth than any other variety. In our 
market, Early Harvest and Yellow 
Transparent sell equally well, and for 
home use, we prefer either of the latter. 
Immediately following these three va¬ 
rieties, comes Oldenburg, an early and 
abundant bearer, one of the most beau¬ 
tiful apples of any season, and excellent 
for culinary purposes, although rather 
tart for eating out of hand. 
While the demand for early apples is 
somewhat limited, I think every grower 
□ 
who is within easy reach of a city mar¬ 
ket should have a succession of varie¬ 
ties, from the very earliest to the latest 
Winter sorts. In our market, the Sum¬ 
mer and Fall apples generally bring a 
higher price per bushel than any ex¬ 
cept those varieties which can be kept 
until Spring. I have always found a 
good demand for Red Astrachan, Early 
Harvest, Yellow Transparent and Old¬ 
enburg, at fair prices, and would not 
consider my list complete if either one 
were left out. gabrtel hiester. 
Pennsylvania. 
The best two early apples, in my opin¬ 
ion, are the Yellow Transparent and 
Red Astrachan. It seems to me that, 
all things considered, the Yellow Trans¬ 
parent is very much superior to the 
Tetofski, and that where it has been 
fruited sufficiently to be tested, this 
opinion will be found to be general. 
The producing of qarly apples for mar¬ 
ket is not a profitable operation in this 
section. Perhaps, farther south, it 
might be regarded differently, but cer¬ 
tainly there is no money in it for the 
orchard men here. There is one feature 
in relation to the Yellow Transparent 
that should not be overlooked. It is one 
of the few apples that grow smooth and 
perfectly free from the scab. This cer¬ 
tainly is an important consideration to 
the commercial apple grower. It, also, 
has quality good enough to make a de¬ 
sirable sort for home use. In consider¬ 
ing the latter question, it seems to me 
the old Sweet Bough should not he 
omitted. I know of no one but enjoys 
eating this apple, while it seems to grow 
well over a wide area of territory. This 
being the case, it is worth the consid¬ 
eration of the planter for his family use. 
Ontario Co., N. Y. s. n. willard. 
For the best in the Nursery Line, both 
FRUITS and ORNAMENTALS 
Roses, Plants, Bulbs, Seeds, 
and at prices to suit the times, consult 
The Storrs & Harrison Co., 
Box 569 Painesville, Ohio. 
45th year. 44 preen houses 1000 acres. 
Correspondence soliciled. Catalogue free. 
C RIMSON 
LOVER 
and other Seeds for Summer bowing Write for our 
Midsummer Catalogue. We send It Free. 
HENRY A. DREER, Philadelphia. 
P rime Stock Celery Plants, $1 per 1,000, 25c. per 
100, by mail. We guarantee satisfaction. 
SLAYMAKKR & SON, Dover, Del. Circular Free 
CELERY PLANTS FOR SALE 
Leading varieties, carefully packed in baskets, 
and delivered here at Express Offices; 250 plants for 
GOc.; 500 for 90c : 1,000 for $1.50. Special price on 
quantities ovrr 0,000. Cash with order. 
WOODLAND FARM, Canastota, Madison Co., N.7. 
Celery Plants for Sale. 
Fine varieties; good roots. 
$1.50 per thousand; 10,000 for $12. 
Send cash with order. 
STAR CELERY CO., - - CANASTOTA, N. Y 
CELERY PLANTS. 
All the 'eading varieties; strong field plants; $2 and 
$5 per 1,000. WM. S. HERZOG, Morristown, N. J. J 
lAfl Q ! _... -ii-n|r Potted, for $1. List free 
IUU DISlTlcirCK T. C. KEVITT, Athenia.N J 
FRUIT PACKAGES , ,;',!! 
Also Beekeepers’ Supplies. 
Order now before the busy sea. 
son catches you. Catalogue and 
price-list free. Address 
BERLIN FRUIT BOXCO. 
Berlin Heights,Box B,KrieCo.,0 
Good Fruit 
always finds a ready market, but to bring top 
prices it must be put up in neat, attractive 
and substantial packages. We have every¬ 
thing in the basket line. All sizes of 
Berry 
Baskets, 
Peach and Grape Crates. 
Buy direct from the manufacturers and 
save money. Write to-day for catalogue and 
new price list Special price in carload lots. 
A. H. MONTAGUE & SON, 
120 Warren Street, New York City- 
□ 
Business Trees ?h r e Best Trees 
ROGERS TREES are BUSINESS TREES. Reinemberjthe name and the 
place to buy. THE BOGEBS NUBSEBIES, Dansvllle, New York. 
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