SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 333 



did not bear more than two-thirds as much on the same ground and with the 

 same culture. It wilted while the Downing kept green; the fruit was very 

 small and it did not stand the drought well. It brought in market from two 

 to six cents less per quart than any other kind on my grounds. It has enjoyed 

 a great reputation, but must yield to other well-tried sorts. 



The Crescent Seedling is fully as early as the Wilson, and is said to be an 

 enormous bearer, producing 15,000 quarts to the acre. I have not fruited it 

 largely, but shall do so next season. If its tendency to multi[)ly itself is any 

 indication of its fruitfulness, it must be a marvel. From five plants set in 

 the spring, last year, I obtained 353 new sets. The plants completely covered 

 the ground, leaving no room for weeds to get in. In quality it is not the best, 

 and is a little soft for distant market. It is pistillate, and must be planted 

 near some other perfect kind. 



The Cumberland Triumph is the largest and most delicately flavored berry 

 on my grounds. It is a berry to delight the amateur, is a rank grower and an 

 abundant bearer. A few days since I received a letter from Mr. Miller, the 

 originator, in which he says that from 1^ acres this season he obtained 270 

 bushels. I consider it among the finest cultivated. 



Captain Jack is a fine grower and a great bearer. The fruit is of good size, 

 firm, and not of first quality. 



Prouty's Seedling literally covered the ground with long, glossy, handsome 

 berries of large size and of excellent flavor. It was admired by all who saw 

 it fruiting on my grounds this season. It is firm, and commands a high price 

 in market. The new plants did not stand the drought quite as well as some 

 others, but it looks well. 



My sample beds this 3'ear contain two rows of each sort, new and old, and 

 all must stand the same test. My only object is to obtain the best, and I sjiall 

 discard those that do not come up to the required standard. 



The Monarch of the West is one of the best berries that I cultivate, and 

 ought to be planted by every lover of large luscious fruit. I think I shall 

 place it second on my list. 



Last season I wrote of Kerr's Late Prolific as follovfs : '' Its only fault seems 

 to be that it bears a host of good size berries, but no enormous ones." I wish 

 to modify this now and say, after another year's experience with it, that it 

 bears a ^'host" of vei^g large berries, of excellent flavor. I consider it one of 

 the best in cultivation. 



The Kentucky is the finest late berry that I know of in a good season ; but 

 with such a season as this, it is a shy bearer, and ripens its fruit with the AYilson. 



Seth Boyden No. 30 is a great berry, and has few equals. It is the sweetest 

 of all large berries. 



I fear you will not give me space to speak of the Jucunda, Col. Cheney, Tri- 

 omphe De Gaud, and numerous other varieties, and so will close with a de- 

 scription of the Charles Downing. I have fruited this variety for four years, 

 and have watched it carefully. I have uniformly planted it by the side of the 

 AVilson, and have given them both the same care. This season I have it also 

 by the side of the Jucunda, Col. Cheney, Nicanor, and Monarch of the West, 

 and it has invariably surpassed them all. With ordinary culture it will do as 

 well as the Wilson, and often better; but under good treatment I believe it 

 has no superior. On my grounds it has never borne less than the Wilson, and 

 this year it has borne at least a third more. It has survived the long drought, 

 while the Wilson has died. It begins to ripen almost as soon as the Wilson^ 

 and continues in bearing long after the other is gone. The berries are larger 



