200 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Wilson, it is extremely firm, though it surpasses its parent in size, quality 

 and productiveness. Those who grow the finer sorts, however, will 

 place them upon their own tables in preference to this captain of the 

 market sorts. The one defect of this variety is the shortness of its leaf- 

 stalks. The fruit-stems tower above the foliage, giving, when the fruit is 

 ripening, the appearance of a mantle of fruit covering the ground. 



Duncan is an early sort, with robust vines, large fruit and an abun- 

 dance of it, though not as extremely prolific as Crescent and Capt. Jack. 

 It is "a good honest variety," which will not disappoint those who give 

 it reasonably good culture — a good early market berry. 



Black Defiance^ an early sweet berry, has given me entire satisfaction, 

 for my anticipations concerning it were not very high. It is well adapted 

 to sandy land, where it forms stools of large size — running but little — and 

 produces plentifully of large, dark-red, sweet fruit. This, like the others 

 named, and not noted, is a self-fertilizer. Were it not for its dark, dull 

 color, it would rank high as a market sort. 



Continental has a large, sweet fruit of the firmest texture of any berry 

 I ever grew, ripening rather late. I think it could be safely shipped 

 1,000 miles by railroad. The berries were not uniformly large, like those 

 of Cumberland Triumph, though as the vines were covered with standing 

 water twice in early spring this may have caused the defect. It promises 

 well. 



Great American is one of the most fastidious varieties that I ever 

 cultivated. Give it plenty of room, plenty of fertilizing manures, good 

 cultivation, and it will reward you with berries which will make the eyes 

 of an epicure stand out with eagerness. My vines of this variety, treated 

 with liquid manure — a cheap method, by the way, compared to its 

 benefits — gave full pickings of exceedingly large, rich, brilliant fruit, 

 when other sorts -except Kentucky were nearly gone. This is a valuable 

 sort for those who can get extra prices for fancy fruit, and are willing to 

 give the very best cultivation. 



President Liticoln, like the Continental, did not have a chance to 

 show its capabilities. The vines are medium growers and bearers ; much 

 of the fruit is of immense size, rather irregular in shape, held up well from 

 the ground by its large, tall fruit-stems, and of a good, rather sweet flavor. 



Cumberland Triumph has been for some years in cultivation, and its 

 merits have been pretty well discussed ; though opinions concerning it 

 are as contradictory as are those regarding the Crescent. The foliage 

 is remarkably large and robust, covering the ground and hiding the fruit. 

 The vines, if kept in narrow rows, bear good crops of uniformly large, 

 round, pale, soft berries, which are eagerly sought for in a home or near 

 market — for they cannot be shipped with safety — are rather pleasant in 

 taste, but lack a decided flavor. This is a favorite with many who raise 

 fruit merely because it will sell readily in their immediate neighborhood. 

 For such it is very profitable. 



Springdale is another strong-growing sort, with a good record as to 

 its productiveness and the size and firm, excellent quality of its fruit, 

 which ripens rather late. The flowers are pistillate. 



