We mulch in the autumn; we do not wait till winter; but we do not cover up the plants. Our mulching covers all vacant ground, but does not cover the plants, except as the mulching will lap over on the rows. We have had some experience in cut mulching, and like it. Cornstalks, cut short, make an excellent mulch; so do forest leaves, if held in place. We use wheat straw mostly, because it is most accessible. I would suggest here that probably the best mulching that can be used, where it can be obtained, is sorghum fiber-" bagasse”—or the waste product of the sorghum mills; but in our country there has been no revival of the sorghum industry. As the case stands, we are compelled to use straw largely; and in many cases there will be, in the spring, a considerble growth of wheat and chess, and this we have to cut out by hand. When the mulching is done, the fall work is done. We do not cultivate in the spring; if weeds come up in the spring, we cut them out with knives. I have had some conflict with clover, and clover has always come out ahead,. We are as careful as possible to avoid land which has been in clover.

Mr. Hale, of Connecticut-What do you use for fertilizers?

The President-We use wood ashes. We used bone dust last spring to a certain extent, but up to this time I am not able to report any specific effect. I can't see that there is any difference as yet between the rows of plants where bone dust was used and those where it was not used. Last spring was our first experience with

bone dust.

Mr. Hale-Wait till the crop is gathered before deciding on its merits.

The President-We have used common superphosphate in a limited way. We have used considerable stable manure, and have often regretted its use on account of the introduction of such a quantity of grass seed. If it were properly composted, so as to destroy all seed, it would probably be the best manure for strawberries.

Mr. Hale-What is the quantity of berries to the acre? The President-I suppose the crop of our country averages forty or fifty bushels to the acre. There have been instances of crops. running as high as two hundred and fifty bushels to the acre.

We

consider two hundred cases (twenty-four quarts each) as a good crop. Much less would not be considered a fine crop. I think good management with good varieties ought to secure two hundred cases, that is, one hundred and fifty bushels to the acre, with considerable certainty. Let me say, I have been greatly interested in the statement of Mr. Hale, both in his remarks here, and in those published by him, regarding the importance of irrigation. I believe in it thoroughly. We have not tried it except in a small way. Mr. Cassell, of Mississippi-What is the subsequent treatment after the season is over?

The President-We take off one crop of berries and usually let the field stand, doing nothing to it, except that we mow off the weeds that come up, two or three times; and then in the fall, as far as we are able, we manure pretty well with barnyard manure. After the second crop is gone we plow the field; we take but two crops from one field. We pick strawberries as soon as they are colored a light red, and often they are picked at a somewhat greener stage than this; but we don't wait till they are ripe We must pick them as soon as they are colored a good red on top and a full light red underneath. We pick every day-seven days in the week-all of our ground-from the beginning to the end of the

season.

Prof. Colmant, of Mississippi-Mr. Smith remarked that a condition of successful planting of the strawberry is, that the plants should be watered. I have never watered a strawberry in my life, and I have planted many acres in the Southern States. Again, Mr. Hale remarked that one of the conditions of success with the strawberry was the pulling of the blossoms. I have planted strawberry plants in February and May and had a crop the same year, and never pulled a blossom. Again, we never mulch our strawberries in the winter. These are the three points that I intended to call the attention of the Society to. Have you ever tried, Mr. Hale, to plant strawberries and not pull the blossoms?

Mr. Hale, of Connecticut-Yes, and it has been almost a failure. Mr. Evans, of Missouri-I think the question of fertilizing strawberries should not be overlooked. I think it needs more investigation than it has ever had, and I want to state the experience of a

neighbor of mine the past season. He fertilized one piece of ground with dried blood. He says that for every dollar's worth of blood he put in, he received five dollars back; that he intended to fertilize all his land in the same way next year.

Prest. Earle-How much did he put on?

Mr. Evans-Four hundred pounds of dried blood to the acre.

Adjournment until 7:30 P. M.

Second Day-Thursday.

EVENING SESSION.

STRAWBERRY DISCUSSION-CONTINUED.

In the temporary absence of the President, Vice-President Smith, of Wisconsin, took the chair. The discussion upon strawberry management was resumed.

Mr. Smith-Some one stated this afternoon that stable manure was not good when applied to strawberry plants. Did the gentleman ever try it when well rotted and well mixed with the soil? have found it good when used in this way.

I

Mr. Cassell, of Mississippi-Stable manure burns the plants during the first summer. After that it produces a rank growth and may be beneficial. On account of its burning the plants when first applied it is not used to any great extent in the South. It is thought the plants will not stand drought as well when manured in that way. Mr. Smith-In Wisconsin well rotted manure is found to be at all times beneficial.

The President—Our next paper is by a gentleman whose name has been for a quarter of a century familiar to all American horti, culturists. After more than thirty years strawberry growing, having tested hundreds of varieties, he will tell us something to our advantage about the best kinds for market. I have pleasure in introducing Mr. O. B. Galusha, President of the Illinois State Horticultural Society.

IS THERE A BETTER MARKET STRAWBERRY THAN THE
WILSON?

BY O. B. GALUSHA.

Such is the momentous question propounded to me by the President of this Society!

Many other questions equally easy of solution might have been asked such as," "What is the color of the chameleon?" "Is there a better woman than my wife?" (or your wife, if you please). Or, "If husband and wife are one, which is the one?" But I will not multiply questions of such easy solution"the woods are full of them," and the answers are more numerous than the questions.

It is customary, when matters of dispute between neighbors, whether fruit growers, farmers or fist-fighters, are brought into court, to have a jury impaneled to which the case is submitted; but I am denied even this scapegoat in the decision of this matter of dispute between one hundred strawberry growers of Wimbledon and one hundred strawberry growers of Wambledon.

I will do my best, then, without a jury, since I am required to be chief justice and at the same time counsel on both sides! My predicament in this case reminds me of that of a worthy German magistrate who, after hearing one side of a case which had been brought before him, ably presented by counsel, said: "Vell, you be rite, anyhow;" but, after hearing the opposite side of the case adroitly advocated, he said: “Vell, you be rite, too, so I dismish dis gase and sharge de gonstubble mit de kosts for bringing such a gase into goort." So, don't blame me, my friends, if, after considering the arguments on both sides, I shall "dismiss the case and charge the costs upon Constable Earle for bringing it into court."

It would have somewhat relieved the embarrassment of the court had the question been accompanied by some definitions, explanations or limitations, thus marking out a track to be followed in the hunt for a solution. In the absence of these aids we will assume that the term "strawberry" includes not only the berry but the plant which produces the berry, taking in all its habits and characteristics; otherwise, were we to be confined to the quality of the berry, the solution would depend entirely upon a census of the eaters of strawberries; for "tastes differ." Were we to attempt to solve the question as to which is the better variety of cheese-Limburger or full creamwe would have imposed upon us the task of taking a census of palates, and this would require a knowledge of the German language, which, unfortunately, we do not possess. Again, the question, "Is there a better pie than the pumpkin pie ?" would array the Yankees against the rest of mankind; and so on through a list of important questions which have agitated the minds or pleased or nauseated the palates or stomachs of civilized man for a century or more.

THE VIGOR OF THE PLANT.

That the Wilson plant is not as robust as many other varieties of the strawberry will scarcely be questioned by any one, certainly by none who have cultivated the Crescent, Piper, Cumberland Triumph, Kentucky, and others of like constitutional vigor. It is now almost universally conceded that varieties of trees, and more especially of plants, deteriorate. Whether this is attributable to a tendency to "revert to the original type,” as physiologists claim, or whether it is due to continued stimulation through many successive generations, or any other cause, the fact, in the case of this variety at least, is unquestionable.

The experience of the writer is a fair representation of the general experience of those who have long grown the Wilson and other varieties of strawberries. Upon the same, or adjoining and similar soil, where, fifteen years since, vines of Wilson were healthy and productive, they are now feeble, make but few plants and give but one-fourth, at most, the fruit they formerly gave; and this, too, where the best plants are used in planting, the ground enriched with manure. and good care given in the cultivation.

Samuel Edwards, of Mendota, Ill., a fruit grower of about forty years' experience, says: "The Wilson does not succeed, and I have excused it." E. C. Hathaway, of Ottawa, Ill., good authority in small fruits and vegetables, says: "Wilson is losing its vitality—'petering out' as it were. I can get no Wilson plants from any source but seem to be in this condition after the first year."

Charles Myers, of Toulon, Ill., writes, in report to State Horticultural Society: "Wilsons have run out. Charles Downing is the most successful berry here."

Geo. J. Kellogg, of Wisconsin, writes: Captain Jack is best. The leaf of Wilson suffers from rust, while leaf of Captain Jack does not rust at all." Wm. Jackson, Godfrey, Ill., who grows fruits for market, says: "I have discarded Wilson, except that I keep a few for old acquaintance's sake." John Howard, of Alton, remarked in the Alton Horticultural Society: "If I were growing berries for fun, I might plant the Wilson." He stated that an acre of Downing produced 2,204 quarts, while an acre of Wilson, on good ground, and well cared for, gave but 240 quarts.

"The

James E. Starr, ex-President Illinois Horticultural Society, wrote: Charles Downing is now considered to be ahead in our district (the Alton district)."

Capt. D. Stewart, of Upper Alton, Ill., says: "I will plant no more Wilsons."

B. F. Smith, of Kansas: "Wilson is the chief variety; the vines have rusted badly."

There are, however, many localities in which the plants are satisfactorily vigorous, and especially in virgin soil not highly stimulated by manures. For instance, we have good evidence that in some localities in Wisconsin, in Western Michigan, and in Southern Illinois, the plants are vigorous and healthy; but these are exceptional.