Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-12
4mitultaral department.
(Cor. of Waverly Advecate.)
Sheshequin Farmers's Club.

After so long a lapse of time the Farmers
Club again assembled and enjoyed session
chiefly interesting to its members, in the inter
change OF ideas on a variety OF topics, connect
ed With the farm and garden.
10 reading. the minutes OF our last meeting,
quite an animated discussion sprang up be-
tween Messrs. Delpuech and Sherwood, on the
teaching of lnanureS below the reach OF plants.
The latter ignoring Prof, MapeS' experiments
and insisting that upon what is known as pine
plain lands-of porous, gravelly texture,-
much of the saline properties OF manureS were
wasted by teaching or settling oeio" tie reach
of vegetation. Mr.. Q. defends bis former prop
cation, that evaporation was too often con-
founded with the old idea OF leachng that
few cutivatble lands were SO porous rs TO per
NIT waste Of any valuable properties in
mauures by flteriug through the soil aud sub
soil. Mauures became rapidly exhausted by
excessive heat, augmented of course. by its
gravelly and porous condition.
Mr. Shera God having been solicited TO give
his views upon strawberry culture, SAID he
could not commend an extensive cultivation OF
that luxury among farmers generally IN this
locality. The markets would not warrant 1t,
md II absorbed much time which IN his judg-
ment could be more proftably occupied. 1et
he would advise every farmer to SET apart
small space for home csc, for his family and
friends. Like most all plants, their cultivation
became simple when understood.
For myself, | haul swamp muck upon my
garden in the Fall, permitting it 10 have the
action of winter upon it before using indeed
/ consider that Indispensable for proper use in
7 IN
plow deeply, and pulgerize thoroughly, mark
my ground three feet one way and eighteen
inches the ether, and set ny plants. keep
the ground clear, and do little else TIL the fol
lowing spring, when slash off the runners TO
make paths for picking otherwise | do no
pruning. have never found it an object, on
nv land, 10 protect them for winter ; on some
soil, however, IL may De necessary Ii IL Is
desirable to preserve the same bed, 60 in a
plow, after picking, and turn two burrows tc-
gether--caying about eighteen incheS--then
haul the futrow back, without turning it. aud
you have young and fresh plants again. But
| prefer setting out new beds every spring as
ieSs troublesome.
The strawberry family is very extensive,
hence there are many kinds and VaretieS.--
Plants only are reliable, seed not necessarily
producing their ike. By close observation,
the leaf aud blossom will inform you of their
value as early or prolific varieties. For ell
purposes prefer be Virginia Scarlet, as they
possess within themselves the sexes--the pes
tilate aad staminate--and less care is demand
ed in their arrangement in that respect. Be-
sides, they are hardy plant, aud very prolific.
! have raised over forty bushels from one
eichth of an acra not fOr1ettinr nv EeiU htlOrS
Most other varieties need due proportion OF
pstates and staminateS in setting the plants.
Plants set this spring yield nothing OF moment
till the following season. Muck is not at all
Indispensable in preparing the ground. Fit
your ground nicely as for potatoes. Chip ma
nure l should dsappro7e of. Try some meth
cd and experience will soon teach you the
better way.
On motion, the meeting adjourned to the
first Thursday evening in October.