The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-06-06
STRAWBERRIES.

There is no fruit out Of which, while
it lasts, more comfort is to be taken
than the strawberry. Nine out of ten
person relish it and to those who do
it never CLOVIS upon the taste. We
have eaten it during six months of
the year, beginning at Louisiana in
March and eating it all the way up
into Canada in August. Hot house
strawberries are too expensive for
many to indulge in, but the markets,
in the season, are so well supplied that
every one can have his share. We
make the following extracts from an
address on the cultivation by Hon.
Marshall r. Wilder before tie Mass
achusetts Horticultural Society. Mr..
Wilder is high authority on the sub
ject:
"The strawberry is one Of the most
capricious plants. A variety may do
well in certain locality, and in
another not far distant may be "a
perfect failure. There are some va
rieties which, like the Baldwin Apple
and Concord Grape, are adapted TO
wide extent Of territory. Such is re-
commended by the American Pomo.
logical Society for thirty,fyc States
and Territories, while no other is re-
commended for more than twenty-five.
We must, therefore, study the char
acter of soils, locations, and climates,
and select such varieties as are best
adapted to them. The acclimation
Of tender or haIf-hardy plants is
iaIlacy; and We must rely on the fit.
ness OF thugs to the condition in which
we live,
! "The strawberry has assumed great
Importance among our cultivated fruit
and great progress has been made in
| the production of new and fine kinds,
but there is still room for improve
ment. We know no reason why we
may not produce varieties Of straw
berries of the finest quality, and such
as are adapted to every section
of our vast territory. To produce
thOm we should select as breeders
those which possess the characteristics
which we wish to obtain. To make
sure ola perfect cross, pistillate kind
should be chosen and impregnated
with those ofthe greatest excellence
for example, the Crescent-which,
though ofsccond quality, possesses ex-
traordinary hardness and productive
ness, with good form and colOr-with
the President Wilder, Duncan, Triple
Crown, and other high favored
sorts. What is wanted is varieties of
excellence that everybody can grow.
'In regard to culture, the straw
berry is gross feeder, and without
well prepared soil and abundant sup.
ply ofproper food, and at the proper
time, no great success can be antici-
patcd, We should plant on land
which has not been for some wears
occupied with strawberries, and man
ure and prepare thoroughly, and give
a good top-dressing Immediately after
the truiting season, and repeat this
in the spring. being very careful not
to disturb the roots. Well rotted
stable manure is good ashes-or a
substitute, muriate Of potash-and
bone are excellent fertilizers, and
these are the better ifcomposted with
soil or manure, and allowed to heat
before using. In this climate the
spring is the best time for general
planting.
But when every care has been taken
in planting, we have often to contend
with the heat and drought ofsummer
which is the most formidable Of all
difficulties. No plant is more benefit
ed by constant supply of wator in
the truiting season than the straw
berry, and | repeat my former advice,
give the strawberry water water!
water and still little more fl
were to grow it on large scale for
market, | would provide the means
ofirrigation, so that water might be
given when needed"
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