56 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



merits. A berry that will not produce large crops spontaneously, will, if gen- 

 erally planted, prevent the inevitable glut caused by the immense crops of Wil- 

 son and Crescent. I will not talk about the new varieties; so far as I have 

 observed- they are worthless for general market purposes; but the ideal berry 

 may yet be found. The old Triomphe De Gaud was, and is (if in existence) 

 the best berry ever grown ; but was condemned because it would not bear suf- 

 ficient to enrich the grower in one year. I hope the strawberry talk at your 

 meeting will be sandwiched with strawberry shortcake of best varieties, but 

 don't believe one of you can recognize varieties when smothered with plenty of 

 <3ream and sugar. I regret exceedingly my inability to be with you, and help 

 talk and eat strawberries ; but please remember that, in fruits, we cannot al 

 ways hold fast that which is good. 



STRAWBERRIES FOK HOME USE. 



On the first sub-topic, " Varieties best to Eat and Can," T. T. Lyon said: 

 No one variety is best. We want a succession. Four of Arnold's hybrids are 

 good for a succession, but better perhaps for market than home use. Alpha 

 is the earliest good variety that I know of, and is a good bearer. Maggie is 

 "fully as good in quality. Gypsy is of fine quality, especially if eaten directly 

 from the plant. Arnold's Pride, the latest, is very promising. All are liable 

 to set too much fruit — quite as much as the Crescent. I must mention the 

 Jewell, which, for market, I think is growing to take a position very near 

 the Crescent. It has few small berries. Another, unnamed, variety is quite 

 as large and a little later than the Jewell. 



C. W. Garfield: The Maggie has given us from a few plants an extraordi- 

 nary amount of delightful fruit, very mild in flavor, and attractive in appear- 

 ance. 



T. T. Lyon : Another from the same batch of seedlings, Arnold's Pride, 

 and much resembling Maggie, is Bright Ida. I have another called the Ideal, 

 of fine appearance but poor flavor. 



LARGE VI ELDS FROM A FEW PLANTS. 



J. B. Kogers, of New Jersey, furnished the following note on this topic: 



Your secretary, in his letter requesting a short paper on this subject, says: 

 " This topic has special reference to the amateur who has a small area of land, 

 and wants to raise something to 'crow over.'" 



The subject divides itself into two classes. First — A great yield, having 

 less reference to the large size of the individual berry; and, Second — Seeking 

 large size in the individual berry, with less yield in the aggregate. The culture 

 will necessarily have to be treated separately in the first stages. 



First class: Select plants for setting that have never been forced to their 

 greatest yield : of a variety possessing strong, natural vigor, inclining to form 

 numerous fruit crowns, and capable of withstanding high feeding. Set as 

 early in the spring as the soil is in fit condition, five feet between rows, three 

 feet in the row. Allow the plants to make matted beds. Late in the fall, and 

 just before applying mulch between the rows, remove all feeble plants, as well 

 as those set in the spring to form the bed; then thin those remaining to allow 

 room for the developing of the plant and fruit the next spring. 



Second class: Select runners from plants that have never been forced to their 



