St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-01-10
STRAWBERRY CULTURE.
The Hennepin ROrticuIturists Have
an Interesting Discussion.

At the commercial college yesterday the
Hennepm horticultural society held its
weekly meeting. President Gray occupied
the chair. The attendance was light, prob
ably owing to the extreme cold.
1t was announced by the president that
the members who had agreed to furnish
papers on strawberry culture were absent,
and in lieu of the papers he asked
NJ. Pierce to give his experience
in the culture of strawberries,
Mr.. Pierce willingly responded and spoke
eXtemporaneously upon the topic. He gave
description of the plants. lie divided his
plants into four or more separate rows, one
foot or fifteen inches apart, after blowing
the ground deep and thoroughly pulveriZing
it. The plants need but little cultivation
-fter setting out. After the first fall of
snow in early winter he covers the snow
over the plants with a dressing of marsh
hay to protect the plants from the rigOrS of
the " lter. He preferred a covering of
snow between the hay and the plants. He
had grown 400 bushels per acre from his
beds. He set out his plants early in Au-
gust. His heaviest production had been
from the Crescent. The Windsor Chief is
large fruit and prolific grower He stated
that Greene's Prolific is also good grower.
Henry Busse'S experience had been to the
effect that high or low ground had marked
influence on the growth, while Mr.. Pierce
claimed that the location had little infiu-
ence.
Henry Busse stated that he had discon
tinued the culture of the Countess straw
berry on account of the fact that the
FRUIT is TOO SOFT.
Under certain conditions he recommended
the Glendale as a 1irner berry. He had
raised the Wilson for several seasons, anC
also the Crescent. He found that the vii
son had become damaged and that thu
Crescent is about as firm and of q dark, ricl
color. They were fortified with the Viii
son. and he advocated the Wilson as a fer
tilizer. The Wilson can be shipped Loo
miles or more, and the Crescent will only
stand a few days. but if fertilized with the
Wilson it can be shipped nearly as far a.
the latter.
Mr.. Pierce stated that soil had much to d.
with the quality of the berry in this respect
He believed that fertilizers have no inhu
ence on the fruit proper, but it has pOten
influence on the seed. If Crescent seedlin!
is grown on sandy soil it is soft. If Wilson
is grown on strong soil it is firm and hard
Mr.. BUsSe covered his plants with marsh
hay with happy results. He had heard ma
nure advocated. and tried it. 1t ruined hi
Strawberries. He also used timothy anC
clover hay, and found that the GOVERNS
contained so much seed that it was grea
source of annoyance and it proved very Diet
rimental to the fruit.
Several members set out their plants dur
ING the first part of August, while other
preferred early spring.
Mr.. Pierce set out his plants early Il
August, cut all the runners off, and eX
pressed the o a ZION that any one who trie
his method would never try any other. II
rot four times the yield by so doing. Thos
who set out plants in August may count o.
Lruit next year.
President Gray took issue with the theor
advanced. 1t was his experience tina
August is often dry month, and if the so
5 dry plants set out in August will prove
failure.
Mr. Pierce stated that August planting
4 system in universal vogue. In the grea
strawberry growing districts of New Jel
sew August is the accepted month.
Mr.. GRAY said he had had all the Augu:
experience he felt that he could afford. II
should hereafter plant in the spring.
Mr.. Pierce said that raising small berrie
is Improbable. The large frult command
the largest price.
Henry Busse made the statement that
his experience there is more real profit
raising cabbage than in raising strawberrle
Particularly was this true last year. NJ
Pierce suggested that possibly Mr.. Bus:
had never raised a good crop of straw
berries. He had raised about 8, 200 QUAR-
to the acre.
Mr.. Pierce stated that he raised 800 busl
els to the acre after his new method. La
June he turned field of clover in bloom
planted it to beans and raised a good ere
of beans. In the spring he should pillow
again and plant to early potatoes. In A
gust he would set out his strawberry plant
A man who has had experience can easil
set out 4, 900 plants in day.
Adjourned for one week when the sau
subject will be taken up.
committee was appointed on entertain
ment of delegates to the meeting of Il
State Horticultural society which cou