The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-31
Hill Culture of strawberries.

Many years ago l owned a small
fruit farm near the city Of Cleveland,
ONO, in the midst of an extensive
fruit-growing district, and had re-
markable success one year with HllI
culture of strawberries. After enrich
ing the land with a coat Of stable
manure drawn from the city, plant
ed a small plot, little more than one.
eighth Of an acre, with Jucundas,
which were then famous because OF
the unique success of James Knox in
raising them on the hill-tops above
Birmingham at Pittsburg. had vis-
tied his extensive plantation, and pur-
chased at a high price this famous
variety from one of my neighbors, be-
lieving from Mr.. KnoX's success
that they would be profitable. The
soil was a dark, gravelly loan in an
old orchard. The planting was in the
spring. All runners were cut off
during the summer, and the plat was
we'll cultivated with the hoe, the
plants being eighteen inches apart
each way. The growth was very
strong. During the following winter
they were protected by q light cov-
ering of straw.
The next summer I had them care
fully gathered by pickers from the
city, in baskets holding four quarts
with handles. These baskets were
rounded up, and all the stems were
turned down on the top Of the basket,
so that no green leaf or stem was visi-
bile. l had the first picking taken to
fruit dealer on the Square" near the
wealthy residence portion of the city,
whose first offer was 81 basket.
When the second picking was taken
the dealer said they were all sold in
advance at $1.25 basket, and if l
could have had three or four times as
many. the firm would have been glad
10 obtain them at 81 basket. They
were declared to be the finest lot of
strawberries ever seen in Cleveland
market. I sold from that small plot
1925 worth OF strawberries during
lu1C uISl year - hClidS.
The second year they produced well,
but not as fine berries as I might have
raised from Wilson plants. cared for
as my Jucundas were the preceding
year. The person from whom prr-
chased the plants had larg(blat of
Jucundas probably two Or more
'acres-planted on clay soil, we'll ul-
derdraired: but they were very unsat-
isfactory. rs the berries did Lot ripen,
but matured in size while green in
color, and they were usually wedge
shaped. My berries were finely
formed, the color dark, rich and uni
form. and as glossy as though they
had been vanished. The flavor was
remarkably rich, almost spicy and vim
GUS. while those raised on clay soil
we're comparatively tasteless. l be-
lieve that any one having gravelly
or sandy loan might have equally as
fine success as myself if they would
plant Jucundas on very rich soil. eigh-
teen inches apart each way, and keep
all runners cut off.
This variety has proved so uncertain
that l rarely see it advertised, but in
appearance and in quality / believe
they are not equalled by any other
variety when they are produced in
their best form. My crop would aver
age one and a quarter inches in cir.
conference. Parties who purchased
them sent them to friends in Boston,
Washington and New York City.
l sold the fruit farm before l had
an opportunity to try another expert
ment with them.
If l shall again have a chance with
a comparatively loose soil l intend to
repeat the experiment, but / have not
had that opportunity. After one
years heavy crop l should plow the
plants under as they are exhausted IN
ripening an enormous crop. - Donald
Fernley. in the Country Gentleman.