408 STATE POMOLOGICx\L SOCIETY. 



Beatrice and most of the hardy early varieties. Don't want anything later 

 than late Crawford for this climate. Peach cultivation is profitable in certain 

 localities. The prospect of the fruit crop this season here is good. Grapes 

 and peaches never better. 



Shiawassee County. — ]\[r. J.. B. Barnes, of Owosso, writes: The strawberry 

 culture has more than trebled within the last five years in his vicinity. The 

 crop is mostly grown in the towns upon the railroad. Within an area of 10 

 miles we have several fields, from one to fifteen acres, under cultivation. At 8 

 cents per quart, everybody eats strawberries, and the consumption is immense. 

 Most of the strawberries grown in this vicinity are consumed at home. If we 

 have a surplus the Saginaws are always ready to receive all that we send. 

 Sometimes 100 crates go down on the morning train. I have cultivated most 

 of the new varieties, but have never found a berry that has as many good 

 qualities as the Wilson. Give the Wilson the same treatment that you give 

 tlie dear-bought and far-fetched varieties and it will match them any time. 

 For private use there are other varieties that I would prefer to the Wilson ; for 

 instance, the Cumberland Triumph. This is a new variety and for table use 

 is unsurpassed, is quite as prolific and much larger than the Wilson, but it 

 lacks the firmness of the Wilson. Persons who grow strawberries to ship I 

 would advise to stick to the Wilson. One year with another I consider straw- 

 berry culture the most profitable. Why? Because we have a ready market. 

 It is the first fruit olfered in market, and any man, woman, or child, that has 

 a dime is bound to have a dish of strawberries and cream, not only one day, 

 but as long as the crop lasts. 



Fruit culture is on the gain, and adds vastly to the value of farm property 

 for selling purposes. The Owosso grape stands head and shoulders above any 

 other variety that I have upon my ground. Then follows the Delaware, 

 Concord, Martha (white), lona. If a man has these five varieties he is all 

 right. Apples are one-third of a crop. The strawberry was so abundant that 

 all the growers lost money. Peaches, pears and grapes are a medium crop. 



