The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-03-06
OUR RUR4L TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
9'| 81
Agricultural Readers
CULTURE or THE STRAWBERRY.


J. T. Lovott, of Little Silver n. J., in his an
nual "Guide to Horticulture" says: On ar
rival of plants unpack them ut once, loosen
the bunchcs "heelp them in tho ground, or
dip their roots in 'muddlc." made by mixing
earth in water until of tho consistency OF
cream, and lay away in cool, damp cellar,
where they can neither dry nor freeze, un-
til they can be planted in suitable weather,
DO not leave in package and pour water over
them, as this will surely cause tho plants to
heat and spoil. If by chance, the stock should
arrive in frozen state, bury the package, or
place it in cool place until the frost has be-
come entirely distracted by slow degrees.
These remarks apply also to other plants aud
trees, rs we'll as Strawberries. The strawberry
delights in moist soil, but will succeed almost
anywhere, if well MANFRED and mulched.
Avoid planting near trees, rs il rcsents shade.
To grow large berries and plenty of them, fer
tilizGrs must be used freely. Unleached wood
ashes is a specific fertilizer for the strawberry;
ground bone is also excellent. In planting take
but few plants from the trench or package at
time and expose as little MS possible to wind
or sun. Never plant on a windy day, and never
plant in freezing weather. DO not plant deep
but press the earth very firmly about the roots
Should the weather be warm, shade valuable
plants for a few days with handful of coarse
litter over each plant or with berry baskets or
boxes told rejected ones are as good as any.
In Autumn planting il is a good plan to defer
il until Just before freezing weather and cover
each plant with earth, to be removed Mt the APP
proach of Spring. by this method the plants
! start early. make strong growth, and scarcely
| one will fail.
| For Hill culture, plant strawberries in beds
4 four feet wide, with alleys two feet between
! them Plant in each bed three rows of plants
| Is inches apart, and the plants the same dis
lance apart in the rows. For the matted row
! system, plant in rows three feet apart and the
plants a foot apart in the rows, requiring lI,52O
/ plants per acre. For the best results, mulehing
with somo light material is Indispensable,
which should be applied inst rs soon rs the
! ground has become slightly frozen and par
/ TALLY or entirely removed when the ground
has become settled in Spring. 1t IS well for
all TO plant at least three varietics-early,
medium and late-t0 expand the season TO IT'S
/ fall limits Success depends in a great meas
uro on getting fine, healthy plants, strictly
pure and true TO namo.
QUESTIONS or SILK RAISING.
EDITOR NATIONAL / RiHINEs 1 am u gcadti
Of your paper, aud in looking over this column
saw an account OF silk raising. Now. would
like 10 ask you few questions, rs ! intend tC
write for tho eggs. l. Is there any charge ioi
the cggs2 2, We have In our section OF the
country what we call Usage, which $50 use fol
hedges. Is this the kind upon which the silk
worm feeds? 3. VIII the eggs come by express
or mailY T. Is there any book published OF
silk raising; and, If so, where can get copy
t.t ~ tyuEfT II THOMAS
Astoria Ill.
/ II. There is no charge FOR the eggs. .. Th'
Usage orange tree Is used extensively for hedges
aud without a doubt yours is the kind. Ii i
also known Us bndosk, or bois dare. We couit
tell you better did goa send US a description o
the plant. 3. The uggs viii como by expires
packed IN ice, for IL lett at a moderate tompcra
tufe tho eggs will batch themselves. 4. Will
the eggs you will reoeiyea book containing iul
instructions. which is scat free.
The Department Of Agriculture has receives
a consignment OF choice siIkwogm eggs, and al
those who wish 10 secure some had better writ
FOR them immediately Tho Department buy
all the eocpous they can get at 80 cents PC
pound aud II any OF our readers begin 10 rails
tho silkworm, they are sure Of disposlng OF a.
the coeoous,--Ep NATIONAL IHBUNEI
EXPERIMENTS ~ PoRK.MAKtNG.
Here are some figures touching upon the 20
luton OF a long mooted question Ina hog feeding
Very careful and thorough experiments !
feeding cooked and knocked food 10 hog
mnde by Prof. Henry at the Wisconsin II
pertinent Station, show the amount OF diferer
foods, cooked and knocked, required 10 max
100 pounds of pork, 10 be- rs follows;
I