IQQ STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



them at least ordinary good care, who will note the results and report upon the 

 varieties after they have fruited. AVhile many of the liinds thus sent out have 

 shown no valuable* characteristics, others have given excellent satisfaction and as 

 a result of the distribution we have not only assured ourselves of the value of the 

 varieties, but have distributed the plants. In the tests that have been made at 

 the Station we have endeavored so far as possible to put the plants under about the 

 same conditions that they would find when in the hands of ordinary growers. Our 

 soil is but poorly adapted to fruit culture, and varieties that succeed here should 

 do even better in commercial plantations. The land that we have used has been 

 fairly well manured with stable manure. This has been applied broadcast in the 

 fall and turned under. In the spring, after the land has been properly fitted, it has 

 been marked into rows 3% feet apart and the plants are set at intervals of eighteen 

 inches. Twenty-four plants of each variety are used, as a rule, although when the 

 new kinds are sent to us for trial the number received is frequently only twelve. 

 In order to test the merits of the different kinds under hill and matted row culture, 

 we have cut the runners from twelve of the plants and have allowed them to form 

 nari-ow rows upon the others. The plants had ordinary good care during the season, 

 were mulched in the fall and the weeds that appeared during the spring were cut 

 out, without disturbing the mulch except to remove it from the plants. 



Notes are taken of the dates of blossoming and ripening of the different varieties, 

 as well as upon the vigor of the plants, their productiveness, and the size, shape, 

 color and firmness of the fruit. In the following table these characteristics have 

 been indicated. Instead of writing it out in full, abbreviations are used, the mean- 

 ing of which is given at the head of the table. In the text that follows will be 

 found descriptions, first, of the varieties that have been fruited but one season. 

 This is followed by a description of the varieties that were fruited first in 1897, 

 few of which have been commonly tested. At the end will be found descriptions of 

 some of the older and better known kinds. In the summary of the varieties, short 

 lists of some of the more promising new varieties and others that include the 

 better of the old kinds are given. 



