WINTER MEETING. 259 



VARIETIES. 



After an experience of more than 20 years in growing berries, I 

 will say, without hesitation, that Bubach No. 5 has given me better 

 satisfaction than any berry I have ever tested. 



While it is not perfection ( what berry is ?), taking everything into 

 consideration, one year with another, I would not exchange it for any 

 of the newer varieties introduced of late years. 



The plant is almost perfection. I do not believe it can be im- 

 proved upon. Strong and vigorous, almost free from rust, and if pro- 

 perly fertilized, it never fails to bring up the entire crop of berries to 

 perfection. 



Some object to it on account of being too soft for long shipments. 

 This is one of its faults, for, of course, it will not hold so long as the 

 Capt. Jack and some others of the firmer varieties. 



For two years in succession I have shipped a crate on order to 

 private parties in New Orleans, and they have arrrived each time in 

 perfect condition, after being 36 hours in transit. I am one who be- 

 lieves that there is more in the manner of picking and handling ber- 

 ries for shipment than in the variety itself. There have been seasons 

 if I had not been growing the Bubach I would have had no berries at 

 all. While, of course, it does better some seasons than others, any- 

 thing like a failure with it I have never known. This year the Ores- 

 cent in the vicinity of Springfield was almost a complete failure. 

 There was scarcely any fruit, and what there was could not be sold 

 except to hucksters. On the other hand, the Bubach produced the 

 largest and nicest crop of berries it has ever done before. 



Now, I am situated a little different from many growers. 



Living one and a half miles from the city of Springfield, which I 

 consider the best local market of any place of its size in the Western 

 country, the bulk of my berries are sold at home. I have built up a 

 good trade on fancy berries. Bubach they want, and Bubach I intend 

 to let them have so long as they continue to do so well with me as 

 they have in the past. If I were growing large crops, like some, and 

 compelled to ship to distant markets, I might perhaps choose some 

 other varieties. 



For fertilizing purposes I use Bederwood, Capt. Jack and Robin- 

 son. I consider the Captain Jack the best fertilizer for any pistilate 

 variety I have ever tried. Now, I am well aware that there are many 

 localities where the Bubach does not succeed. 



If I were living in such places I certainly should not plant it. 



