9 8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Duncan, Duchess, Col. Cheney, Capt. Jack, Boyden, Prouty, Chas. 

 Downing and Wilson beginning to ripen. 



On May 30th we had a slight shower of rain, and on June ist it 

 rained for two or three hours. On Monday, June 2d, were the largest 

 receipts of strawberries, after which the crop rapidly gave out. 



Although the season was so late, as compared with the last, yet 

 being so dry brought in the Black and Red raspberries by June 6th. 



The effect of the dry season not only cut the crop of strawberries in 

 quantity, but also caused a large amount of the crop to "button" off,» 

 and a great many were entirely unfit for use and were not picked. The 

 size also was greatly diminished, and consequently prices were very low. 



There was never a more beautiful sight than the appearance of the 

 beds in full bloom, and never a more promising show for a good crop. 

 Yet, from lack of moisture, there was not one-tenth of a crop. 



The finest and most perfect berries were the Triumph de Gand, and 

 the most abundant the Capt. Jack. Had it not been for this variety, out 

 of about two acres of many kinds, one-tenth of which were Capt. Jacks, 

 the crop would have been written a total failure ; as it was, there were a 

 few bushels of them. 



Of the newer varieties I have discarded Champion, Duchess, Golden 

 Defiance, Cowing's Seedling, Sterling and some others. The Duncan 

 proves to be early, good size, firm and prolific, and will give it further 

 trial. Kerr's Late Prolific is doing well, Springdale and Cumberland 

 Triumph are large, fine-looking, prolific, rather soft. 



For largest fine berries, suitable for distant shipment, I name in 

 the order of their merits : Triumph de Gand, Monarch of the West, 

 Jucunda. 



For best paying results, the Wilson, Capt. Jack, Chas. Downing. 

 With generous culture, and without, with ordinary care and sometimes 

 with neglect, these last will be found to stand by in time of need. 



There are many new candidates for favor; among the more prom- 

 ising are the Sharpless and Forest Rose. We look for great things from 

 them, but shall not be disappointed if they, in turn, go down to leave 

 place for some of the old "stand-bys." If for no other purpose, it may 

 be well to keep a supply of the Wilson and Downing to help some of the 

 new beauties to do their best. It has been remarked by some, that when 

 placed near such, many varieties do better than when alone. A writer 

 recently gave his experience in this direction with regard to the Monarch 

 of. the West, and his observation led him to discover many imperfect 

 blossoms. 



In this locality many strawberries have been set this season, and 

 despite the very dry summer have made a very remarkable growth ; the 

 kinds most largely planted are Wilson, Chas. Downing and Capt. Jack. 



The Wilson was never known to make runners so fully before; they 

 also show a good many blossoms, estimated by an observant grower at 

 one-twentieth, with now and then a half-grown berry; and the result on 

 these is looked forward to with some apprehension that the crop will be 

 shortened. 



