SUMMER MEETING, 1870. S3 



Downing, for I venture to s;iy that tliere never has been a variety originated 

 with tlie flavor of the Downing, and never will be, that will produce as much 

 fruit as the AVilson with the same culture. 



It should be a berry of fair size, but not large ; for large size, like fine flavor 

 is also opposed to productiveness. There should Ije, however, uniformity of 

 size. Not a few large berries to begin with, and the rest small and tlien 

 smaller to the end. 



It should belong to the scarlet family for several reasons. It is tiie onlv 

 family entirely liardy, that will stand unflinchingly both the freezing of our 

 winters and the scorching of our summers. The scarlet berries I find uni- 

 formly to hang longer after they are ripe without spoiling than the dark vari- 

 eties. And as for flavor, while some varieties are insipid or too sour to be worth 

 growing, as a class they possess a peculiar aroma and sprightliness not to be 

 found in the descendants of the foreign sorts, and by means of which the 

 genealogy of any variety may be traced. 



The fruit should be moderately firm, or may be, but this is a point' of less 

 moment. For canning, firmness is desirable, but for the table a berry of a 

 more delicate texture is to be preferred — at least, suits my own taste better. 



One feature that is only found among the scarlet varieties, I believe, and 

 that I count of great value, is the habit of parting readily from the hull, so 

 that the fruit can be picked all ready for the table just as easily as the other 

 varieties can be picked with the hull on. It is not all of the scarlet varieties 

 that have this peculiarity, but many of them have, and in a family berry it is 

 very desirable. 



The habit of the plant should be considered no less than the character of the 

 fruit. The plant should make but few runners ; should be like the Wilson in 

 this respect. One trouble with most farmers' strawberry beds is, they are 

 suffered to become a swamp of plants, that makes fruitfulness impossible. 

 And the reason the Wilson is so popular, not alone among professional growers, 

 but all classes, is this habit of making comparatively but few plants. 



Members would like to inquire, no doubt, if I know any strawberry that fills 

 all these requirements. Not all of them perhaps, but very nearly. 



The Michigan strawberry is that variety. Some of you have this sort, and 

 how it may do with you I do not know, but on my grounds every one points it 

 out at once as the most productive of a dozen or twenty sorts. The plant is a 

 perfect type of healthy vigor, 'and never fails of fruit when there are any straw- 

 berries grown. 



Had I time I would like to compare the different varieties I am growing in 

 all their different characteristics, with the Michigan, and show wherein the 

 latter had the advantage, especially as a family berry, over them all. 



Mr. Johnstone pointed to a fine plate of Jucundas, and said that came about 

 as near his ideal, at least from the appearance of the plate, as any on exhibi- 

 tion. At least he wished every family could be supplied with all they wanted 

 of as fine berries as those. 



President Lyon. — That reminds me of a remark made concerning Mr. 

 Knox's Jucundas, which were the best I have ever seen. It was this, that his 

 berries were as large as turnips and almost as good. The truth is that the Jucunda 

 sadly lacks in quality, while it has many excellent characteristics otherwise. 

 Again, the ordinary family care of berries would grow very poor Jucundas. 



Mr. Bradfield. — ^One character that should q-q ^vith a faniilv berrv would be 

 fatal to a market sort, — that is non-persistence of the calyx. We want to pick 

 the berries for the table and leave the hull upon the vines. 



