Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-06-25
Mistellaneons.
NEEDHAM'S STRAWBERRY CULTURE.

On the 18th of June, representative of
the Salem Register took advantage of a
general holiday to visit the extensive
grounds of Mr.. Joseph S. Needham, the
great strawberry cultivator, at West
| Peabody. We found the proprietor at
| home and fortunately at leisure He in
yited his visitor to take a brief inspection
of the farm. There are many large straw
berry beds, each devoted to particular
variety some OF them ripening considera-
bly, earlier than others, thereby prolong-
ing the straw berry season. The uninitiat-
ed may readily distinguish the difference in
the size of various kinds of strawberries.
but in the absence of direct comparison
they would not realize the vast difference
in the quality OF the berries For in
stance. the Wilson is a prolific straw
berry of large size and is sought on ac-
count OF its beauty, but is quite tart, and
the consumer is liable to suspect that his
grocer has sent him poor quality of su-
gar lacking its wOnted amount of sacchar-
inc power. The "Charles Downing"
which, by the way. Mr.. Needham consid-
ers the best variety yet introduced, while,
nearly as prolific and of still larger size,
possesses the additional quality of ripen-
ing very sweet; and the consumer thinks
of sugar which will 90 great way.
The first year of a straw berry bed Yields
no fruit The land is prepared and richly
iertilized, and the plants are set in rows
some four feet distant from each other,
and the husbandman receives to share for
bis outlay in labor and material until the
succeeding year.
The second season finds the plants vast.
| " increased in extent aud number by
their wonderful power of development,
and under favorable conditions of tenn
perature and rain and sunshine. the owner
may expect remuneratiye harvest.
While standing at the edge of an i'm
mense bed of very promising vines, we
| inquired what quantity of berries would
be gathered from that bed. Mr. Need
ham replied to the question by asking
another Gin true Yankee style y when
YOU 90 fishing, can You tell at the begin
ming how many fish You will catch ?''
We saw the point, but didn't realize its
full force until he explained that with
rainy nights and sunny days the yield
would be four times greater than with
cloudy days and clear nights, and that the
quality was no less dependent on con-
ditions, than the quantity. Finding Mr.
Needham thoroughly posted, we ventured
TO interview nim in the modern style:
GLOW long have you been engaged
in this business?
A.-For thirtytwo years | have made
the culture of Strawberries specially.
| Q.-Do you always take off the hulls?
A.-For twenty-six years huled them
before they were sent to market. Alter
the introduction of the Wilson, berry
that will bear transportation for thou
| mill in laft
the hull, the growers abandoned the Gus
tom of hulllng.
Q.-Iiow should the berries be put upp
A.-To keep the fruit for several days
1t must be airy. If placed in tight box,
1t is sure to mould 1t will often ferment
in twelve hours after il is gathered.
| Q.-Do you use boxes?
| A-Ihis season use veneer baskets no
packing; the fruit is delivered as perfect
rs when on the plants no chance for it
TO terment or mould. In the open basket,
one can see what be is buying; no fair on
top, and corruption at the bottom. The
buyer will see that the deacon is dead
Wnen the fruit is repacked into covered
baskets. the packer makes six boxes out
OF live baskets SO the consumer pays six
teen per cent more tor his fruit, Than il he
bought it In the baskets besides, it is in
ljured in packing, Indeed, the berries are
liable to get so jammed that an expert hull
ler could not hull them and have them fit
for the table.
| GLOW does an expert huller operate
Ale takes the berry in his left hand
and seizing the hull with the right thumb
and forefnger, he gives it a twist and the
thing is done. The twist is what accom-
plishes the work. An expert does not pull
off the hull
Q.-How long does the strawberry sea-
son last
A.-By cultivating the different vare-
ties OF early and late ripeners, good ber-
ries may be produced constantly for sever
al weeks.
| Q.--One more question: | know straw
berries are palatable. Are they healihfu
for thr human systemP
A.-Ripe fruit OF all kinds is healthful,
and there is nothing more beneficial than
strawberries when ripe and properly
served Sdiem Gdzette