of Rural Art and Taste. 



213 



five to seven dollars per barrel only. Whether 

 the close proximity to the salt water has any 

 beneficial effect or not, we leave for others to 

 discuss. 



That there may be no mistake regarding the 

 quality of the land in this vicinity, it may be 

 stated that pieces in desirable locations are 

 held at four hundred dollars per acre, which 

 is not considered a remarkably high price, and 

 judging from Mr. Wakeman's receipts, land 

 as well cared for as his, would easily pay the 

 interest on that amount of money. 



Colnnilia, Conn. 



Strawberry Notes from 

 Kentucky. 



BV A. I>. WKHB. 



^J"'WO years ago 1 ordered from B. K. Bliss 

 i & Sons, a few plants each of the following 

 varieties of strawberries, for the purpose of 

 testing in my soil and climate, and now give the 

 result : Varieties, Black Defiance, Late Pro- 

 lific, Champion and Kissena. These varieties 

 have all fruited this season, though under very 

 unfavorable circumstances, a drouth through 

 the whole fruiting season. 



Black Defiance. — What is it ? A new seed- 

 ling, as represented in B. K. Bliss & Sons' cata- 

 logue ; or is it an old variety brought out 

 under a new name ? From close observation 

 and comparison, I am inclined to the latter 

 opinion. If it differs in the slightest particu- 

 lar from the Wilson, I could not detect it. 

 They are identical in my judgment. I am 

 anxious to hear from others, and if my decision 

 is sustained, there is evidently something wrong 

 somewhere. If it proves to be the Wilson 

 with others, as with myself, we paid a pretty 

 good price for it. 



Late Prolific. — This differs from any other 

 variety on my grounds. Very promising, 

 fruit large and handsome, and plenty of it. 

 Not late, but medium. Season short. Form 

 of fruit differing materially from cut in cata- 

 logue, the larger proportion being rather long 

 and wedge-shaped, firm, and of good quality. 



Champion, decidedly the most promising 

 new variety I have tested for years, coming 



fully up to all I have seen claimed for it, ex- 

 cept in size. A more fiivorable season doubt- 

 less would improve it in this particular. The 

 yield was satisfactory. Fruit uniform and 

 handsome. Of good average size. Continues 

 long in bearing ; and if it sustains its reputa- 

 tion for hardiness of plant, I predict for it a 

 brilliant future with us. 



Kissena. — This variety has proven entirely 

 satisfactory. I started two years ago with 

 three plants. I now have exactly that num- 

 ber. Have lost nothing, and am perfectly 

 satisfied with this variety, as it has proven 

 much better than many others with me. Fruit 

 very handsome. A perfect duplicate of the 

 cut in catalogue. Entirely destitute of that 

 delicate and rich flavor claimed for it. 



Bowling Green, Ky. 



Pears ivith. Hardy Blossoms. — In 



these times, when our prospects of fruit are 

 often dashed away by a single sharp frost, and 

 when every spring season fruit growers' hearts 

 are full of perpetual anxiety, it is woi th while 

 to call attention to the observations of a cor- 

 respondent of The Prairie Parmer (B. 0. 

 Curtis, Paris, 111.), who speaks from experi- 

 ence : — 



Louise Bimne de Jersey, is one of the most 

 noted examples of hardy blossoms. 



Belle Lucrative appears as if it particularly 

 delighted in producing a full crop, when all 

 others fail. 



Plemish Beauty does not bloom in as great 

 profusion as some others, but every blossom 

 sticks, and a good crop of fruit is sure to 

 follow. 



Sirans Orange — Some. 



The White Doyenne, Seckel, Vrbaniste and 

 Julienne may be named as not only among the 

 hardiest pear trees, but as having blossoms 

 possessing, in a high degree, the quality of 

 resisting the frost. 



The Bartlett, Vicar, Duchess, Glout Mor- 

 'ceau and Beurre Clairgeau are scarcely less 

 productive, but are more or less likely to be 

 injured. 



