192 Sorticulhiral JVotes, 



to discourage any one from engaging in the culture of small fruits, but merely 

 desire to put them on their guard against expecting too great results." 



Strntvlierries in the South, 



Dr. Swazey furnishes the following notes of how some of the newer varieties are 

 succeeding with him : 



President Wilder. — It is said that burnt children dread the fire, and as we had 

 been severely and repeatedly burned with high price novelties in the fruit, vegetable 

 and flower line, we rather held aloof when this variety of strawberry came out, at a 

 dollar and a half a plant. But the experience of nearly all who have tested it, as 

 well as our own, during the past two seasons, go to prove that it is a variety of very 

 great promise for both home and market purposes. In fact, out of the something 

 over a hundred varieties that we have tested pretty thoroughly in the South, the 

 President Wilder would 7iow be our first choice. The variety was produced in 1861, 

 by crossing the La Constant on the Hovey's Seedling, and is thought and claimed 

 to possess all the good qualities of both. One of the great objections to the culture 

 of the larger and finer varieties of strawberries in the South, is the liability of the 

 foliage to "burn" under our scorching suns. From this defect the President 

 Wilder is remarkably free — with a single exception (Mary Stewart), we know of 

 none more so. The growth is luxuriant, strong and healthy, and with us this year, 

 under similar circumstances, proved nearly as productive as the Wilson. It is a 

 late variety, however, and hence we shall be disappointed if, through the season it 

 does not yield fully as much as the Wilson or any other variety in our grounds. 

 The fruit is very large, conical in shape and of a beautiful crimson scarlet color. 

 The color of the flesh is rosy-white, and the flavor rich and sprightly, much sweeter 

 than the Wilson. In firmness it is not equal to the Wilson, but it is sufficiently so 

 for a near market. The flowers are perfect. 



Charles Downing. — There is scarcely another variety in the long catalogue of 

 strawberries that will give more satisfaction to the cultivator than this comparatively 

 new sort. We have not given it quite as good soil and culture as some other 

 varieties, but up to this time it is second to none in satisfactory results. The 

 growth is strong and healthy, and the fruit large, handsome, delicious and abundant. 

 Indispensable to the private gardener, and a good market sort. 



Kentucky. — For its season — after most other varieties are past their prime — 

 there is no better strawberry than this. We have had it in our collection three 

 years, and are better pleased with it this season than ever before. The plant is a 

 strong grower, bears our summer suns without injury and is very productive. The 

 berry is large, or above medium, irregular-conical in shape, of a bright crimson 

 scarlet color, and of a most delicious flavor. Every garden should have a bed of it 

 to fill the gap between the main strawberry crop and the black caps and black- 

 berries. Requires rich soil and good culture. 



In addition to the above there are many varieties of superior merit fruiting with 

 us, such as Longworth Prolific, which we have had in cultivation since 1856, and 

 like it as well here as in t-he clay loams of middle Mississippi — the Barnes Mam- 

 moth, which is a most valuable sort — Lennig's White, the best white variety — 

 Brooklyn Scarlet, Agriculturist, Romeyn Seedling, Seth Boyden, Russell's 

 Prolific, Imperial, etc., etc. But for a very select choice list, no one will lose much 

 by confining his planting to the first five or six varieties we have named. Dr. 

 Warder, Kissena, Black Defiance and Matilda are the latest varieties that should be 

 tested as soon as possible by all who are able. 



Blade Knot on the I'lum. 



D. B. Wier says, in a Western journal, that the way to prevent the black knot, is 

 to avoid planting on heavy and wet soil; if it appear, cut ofi" all the aflFected parts in 

 May or June, and cover the wounds with a thick paint of white lead, turpentine 

 and oil. He also advises planting the Wild Goose plum and other varieties of the 

 Chickasaw family, which do not bear black knots. 



