Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-06-29
THE HORTICULTURISTS.
ENJOYABLE OUTDOOR MEETING
rso~ Raspberries. Lemonade, Straw
berries and Cream Were Dis
cussed al Johnson's Farm

The Grand River Valley horticultural
the farm of Mr.. Il. W. johnson, Of Walker.
There Mas an attendance of over nifty and
the occasion Vas not only al enjoy able. bnl
a very profitable one 10 the fruit growers and
their wives who were 90 fortunate ss 10 at
tend. Mr.. johnson hives about i've miles
oui Oh the Alpine gravel road. and hss farm
of which any one might we'll be proud The
residence IL surrounded By grove OF large
trees, and delightful lawn occupies the
whole front. In the rear, separated from the
lawn by well-kept hedge, is q garden Of
cboioe flowers, under the care OF Mr.. John
son, whose good taste in selecting varieties
IL shown IN every border.
Mr.. Johnson's speciality is ''Sharplese"
strawberries, of which he has a.large area
just ready for market He grows them In
marrow matted rows and gives the best cub
ture. He tests, ss they come out. all the
of interest To the many growers present. His
strawberry fields are located near the build
ings, and farther 10 the rear Of the farm are
found his plantations Of Gregg" "CuIh-
bert" and ''Souhegan" raspberries, all look
ing very promising. The farm crops were
very free from weeds and the potato field
was noted as especially promising. The
meeting convened at a little past O'Clock
on the sodded lawn in front, and as Presi-
dent Garfield called the society 10 order he
announced that the usual opportunity would
be given for queries and answers. Ihe fol-
lowing points were made:
Tbs ''Sharpless" is king among strswber-
ries to-day for the heavier soils.
The Crescent" occupies the same position
upon the lighter, more sandy lands.
Mulching upon lighter soils n imperative
for the retention OF moisture and the seour-
ing of clean berries.
The market be ry must be light colored,
and very large size is not desideratim.
Planting in rows three feet apart both
ways, keeping IN large hills, is the best
method of culture. Strawberries can stand
any amount of feeding-the more manure
the better. The cultivator Who scrimps on
feed knows nothing OF the possibilities of
quality and yield.
There il more discrimination in the mar
kets each year. consumers are looking more
to quality, appearance, etc, and il will pay
the grower to make Wise selections or varie-
ties.
The Gregg raspberry is on the wane; it
Is not hardy enough for this latitude and
does not carry out its promises.
Strawberries at five cents quart give no
margin to the producer If he ia q good grow
or and produces the best berries.
At the close of the questions and answers,
Mrs. John Sailor read an admirable essay.
prepared by her husband, upon the value and
influence OF association among horticultur-
lists.
Remarks were made in discussion of the
paper by Messrs. 3. b. Bailey, 5. l.. Fuller,
Thomas Wilde, Heman Parmelee, T.. Ora
ham, q. q. Bennett, q. w. Garfield and
others.
At 3 O'Clock the ladiee gathered together
the lunch baskets and upon tables prepared
by Mr.. Johnson spread an elegant lunch.
Mr.. and Mrs. Johnson embellished the meal
with the most delicious strawberries and
cream and treated the gathering TO lemon
ade of the best quality. Nothing was left
undone that the most generous hospitality
could suggest for the comfort all.
At the close of the meeting. upon the in
vitation of Mr.. Garfield and wife, il was de-
cided TO hold the next session In the open air
at Burton Farm, the date to be in the rasp
berry season, the day 10 be selected by Mr..
Garfield.