234 STATE HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ORIGII^ OF Bl DWELL STRAWBERRY. 



Mr. B. Hathaway, long known in Michigan as a nurseryman and orchardisfc,. 

 has been for many years engaged in the process of raising strawberries from- 

 the seed. Among the many novelties produced, a few only have been thought 

 worthy of names, and among these we may mention Pomona and Michigan, 

 the latter having been for a time somewhat noted. 



Still more recently a number of seedlings were originated, by crossing a 

 pistillate seedling of his from tlie old Virginia Scarlet with pollen from some 

 of our more modern varieties. While these were in fruit (as I understand for 

 the first time) they attracted the attention of Mr. Bidwell, then of this place 

 (South Haven), wlio purchased one plant each, of ten varieties, Mr. Hathaway 

 reserving the right to retain plants for his own use. One of these was the 

 variety in question. 



Mr. Bidwell transferred the purchased plants to this place, where they were 

 allowed to pass as his own originations. This variety was exhibited by him at 

 the June meeting of tlie Michigan State Pomological Society, held at this 

 place in 1877, and was by him named "Centennial." 



One of the examining committee on that occasion, who had received plants 

 from Mr. Hathaway for trial, recognized this as one of them, and so stated to 

 the Society. But the matter was not followed up at the time, and the variety 

 was locally disseminated under that name. 



The South Haven Pomological Society subsequently, under the apprehension 

 that Mr. B. was the actual originator, re-christened it "Bidwell," to avoid 

 complication with an earlier origination so named. 



It was only after the variety began to attract attention abroad that upon the 

 appeal of Mr. Charles Downing and E. P. Koe, I applied to Mr. Hathaway and 

 received from him the history of its origin and transfer to Mr. B., as above 

 stated. — T. T. Lyon in Gardeners Montlily. 



THE MANCHESTER. 



It is the New York Times that speaks in glowing terms of a new strawberry 

 this time, and Manchester is the name. We quote as follows: 



"The Manchester is a new seedling accidentally produced by a Mr. Batty 

 of Manchester, New Jersey. This berry is said by some good judges to be 

 really extraordinary. It is growing upon almost pure sand and produces 

 abundantly large, handsome, conical, scarlet berries, red-fleshed, firm, juicy, 

 and of a sprightly and rich flavor. The keeping qualities are also highly spoken 

 of. The varieties of this fruit that will do well upon sandy soil are few in 

 number, and a good, well-flavored berry, firm enough to ship and keep for 

 three days, and of attractive appearance, as well as good enough for private 

 gardens and farms, and that will succeed upon light, dry soils, will soon become 

 a very popular one. For a berry that will do well upon almost pure sand and 

 with but poor cultivation will be something remarkable on better soils and with 

 good treatment. And this is what is claimed for the Manchester." 



