FRUIT-GROWING. 63 



Prior to 1863 the cultivation of the strawberry in Bristol 

 County was confined chiefly to horticulturists, — was not 

 regarded as a commercial fruit, but as a luxury too expensive 

 for general use. 



Boston received its supply mostly from its adjacent towns 

 and those of Middlesex County. 



Hovey's and Cutler's seedlings were the leading varieties 

 cultivated in those early days, possessing all the good quali- 

 ties supposed to be needed in a strawberry. 



The business at that time was looked upon by the average 

 farmer as one of the fine arts ; and its successful cultivation 

 was thought to depend upon some secret knowledge, of which 

 a fortunate few possessed the sole monopoly. 



In 1863 the people of Dighton and Somerset ventured into 

 the business on a small scale, using the above-named varie- 

 ties with the Brighton Pine and a variety called the " Old 

 Virginia." Finding the soil well suited to their growth, and 

 the business somewhat profitable, it was gradually extended 

 to the year 1866, when, by the completion of the DJghton and 

 Somerset Railroad, Boston market was thrown open to their 

 products. A new impetus was given to the enterprise, and 

 the acreage was rapidly extended; and at the present time it 

 would not be easy to find a farm, however large or small, in 

 the eastern part of Bristol County, that does not have its 

 strawberry-patch, say, from a quarter-acre to four or five 

 acres in size. 



It was soon discovered that a firm, hard berry was re- 

 quired, — one that would not only stand transportation to 

 Boston, but that would stand reshipment after its arrival. 



To satisfy this demand, the Wilson strawberry was chosen ; 

 it being very firm, hardy, and exceedingly productive. 

 Though abundantly acid, and somewhat deficient in flavor, 

 for fifteen years it was the berry of the million. Attempts 

 have been frequently made to displace it by new varieties 

 claiming to be its superior in all desirable qualities, but 

 which, on trial, have signally failed ; and cultivators have 

 clung to it with the tenacity they would to an old friend. 

 Within the last two or three years its peculiar behavior has 

 been such as to force the conviction upon its numerous 

 friends that it must be abandoned ; and they are compelled 

 to make choice of another possessing all its essential good 

 qualities, without any of its vices. 



