62 State Horticultural Society. 



market. This year growers were glad to sell, in some places in 

 South Missouri, for $1.10 to $1.15 per crate. Not much profit at 

 these figures, especially when we pay two cents per box for picking. 

 Local growers here at Moberly sold nothing for less than $2.50 

 per crate. Mr. Ruder is a fruit grower near St. Louis, and is very 

 competent in his line. 



The American people, almost without exception, are great 

 lovers of the strawberry, and throughout the list of berries pro- 

 duced in this great country of ours, none take precedence over the 

 strawberry. I might even go further and say, that possibly with 

 the exception of the apple and peach, no other fruit is as popular 

 with the American people, and enters into such general consump- 

 tion. 



I am requested to give my views as to the best strawberry, 

 and will state that for commercial purposes the "Klondike" stands 

 supreme, at the head of all varieties at present, and has held that 

 position for the past two seasons wherever cultivated. 



Many good varieties have come along in the past and had their 

 day, such as the "Wilson's Albany," "Cumberland," "Sharpless" 

 and others, and the future may bring forth new ones. 



The "Klondike" at present is the leading berry, especially so 

 in southern states, where it has been raised successfully the past 

 two seasons. The State of Louisiana raises nothing else, and 

 other southern states are rapidly falling into line. This variety 

 has the advantage of being firm, large and round, good color, and 

 possesses splendid shipping qualities. 



The "Sample" is also a good variety for shipping purposes; 

 it being very productive, and berries are of large size and rich 

 color. 



The "Bubach" is splendid for the home market, while the 

 "Gandy," as a late variety, is very successfully raised for yielding 

 berries of large, round size and exceptionally fine flavor. 



