368 



The Horticulturist and Journal 



A rather dry, deep and rich soil is requisite. 

 Then start with young, thrifty vines, avoiding 

 the one almost universal error of permitting 

 the vines to overbear. Haste in this has 

 ruined more vines than disease ; but there is 

 safety in the free use of the pruning knife in 

 fall or winter, according to locality. The 

 very best varieties are usually the most un- 

 certain ; therefore, safety bids me to put Con- 

 cord at the head of the list. Then one may 

 add a Delaware, lona, and, perhaps, a vine 

 of the old Isabella, if in some favored locality. 

 Of course, there are hundreds of other sorts 

 which are good or excellent in particular 

 locations ; but experience alone can deter- 

 mine their value. 



H acJdebenies.—K huckleberry bush or 

 two, either of the upland or swamp species, 

 should be in every garden. They are seldom 

 cultivated, but are worthy of far more atten- 

 tion than has been heretofore bestowed upon 

 any of the native species. 



Dwarf tfuneberi'i/.— This is another very 

 pretty fruit, seldom cultivated. The plants 

 grow only two or three feet high, but bear a 

 profusion of dark-purple berries. It is not 

 particularly valuable, except for children and 

 birds ; but these have wants which should be 

 supplied. 



Itdsjiberries.—Ysir'ieties of this fruit are 

 so numerous that it is difficult to make a 

 selection, unless one has had considerable 

 experience with them in the locality where 

 they are to be cultivated. What are called 

 the Blackcaps will thrive almost anywhere 

 from Alabama to Canada ; but not so the 

 varieties Rubus sirigosus (the species to 

 which our native r^d sorts belong), or the 

 Rubus idcpus, parent of all the foreign varie- 

 ties, like the x\ntwerps, Franconia, and Clarke. 

 The latter is the best variety I have ever 

 grown, for a light, sandy soil ; and it is quite 

 as hardy as any of the high-flavored sorts. 

 For the three best varieties, raised from the 

 foreign stock, I would name Clarke, Hornet, 

 and Brinckle's Orange. High culture and 

 protection in winter may be necessary ; but 

 the returns will amply repay the cost. 



Among the very hardy, native, red sorts. 



the Wilmington and Kirtland are among the 

 most valuable of the many which I have 

 tested. The Philadelphia is a fruit of a pur- 

 plish-red color ; the canes hardy, and wonder- 

 fully prolific, — an indispensable variety for 

 the middle States; but neither sufficiently 

 firm or bright enough in color for a market 

 berry. 



Str(uvherr'u's.—V\?iXit a bed of Wilson's 

 Albany first ; then look about for better varie- 

 ties, if they are to be had, is my advice to all 

 new beginners in strawberry culture. 



This, like the Philadelphia raspberry and 

 Concord grape, will be pretty certain to bear 

 fruit, although opinions may differ in regard 

 to quality. Plant in early spring, and nuxke 

 the soil rich ; yes, very rich, if you would 

 have large fruit and in abundance. 



On heavy, fertile, clay soils the Triomphe 

 de Gand and Jucunda will produce abundant 

 crops of very large berries ; but on sandy 

 soils they are of little value. 



Seth Boyden is a monstrous fruit, of fair 

 quality. The plant is also a vigorous grower, 

 and succeeds well in light, rich soils. Charles 

 Downing is also a valuable variety, succeed- 

 ing over a wide range of country, and in 

 almost any good soil. 



There are many other sorts perhaps equally 

 as good for those who want plenty of straw- 

 berries ; but there are none better. Lennig's 

 White, and Ladies' Pine are superior in 

 quality, but the fruit is generally like angel's 

 visits — few and far between. 



Planting Fruit Trees near the 

 Line. 



BY J. A. D. 



THE courts, it appears, have decided that a 

 man has no legal claim to a part of the 

 fruit of a tree growing near the division line, 

 and drawing largely 'upon his soil for its 

 growth and productions ; not because the com- 

 plaining party has no grievance, but because 

 the "scales of justice" are inadequate to the 

 exact division of the fruit. Perhaps the old 

 blind goddess had better employ the Fair- 

 banks, and get something better adapted to 

 the complications of the age. 



