INDIANA HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY, 229 



STRAWBERRIES FOR NORTHERN INDIANA. 



BY M. H. RIDGEWAY, WABASH. 



Taking into consideration the great variety of soils to be found in 

 Northern Indiana, and also the susceptibility of the strawberry to be in- 

 fluenced either favorably or unfavorably by special soil conditions, we 

 find we have a question to answer upon which it is difficult to reach 

 positive conclusions. Certain it is that no one variety is best when grown 

 upon all our varied soils. Different methods of cultivation also often 

 make or break the reputation of variety. Another important factor in 

 determining which varieties are best, is the question: For what special 

 purpose are they being gi'own? For home use, a nearby marlvet, or one 

 that makes it necessary for the fruit to be handled by transportation 

 companies and commission men? If for home use, then individual tastes 

 and ideals will have to decide which varieties are best. If for a nearby 

 market, then we may select varieties that are too soft in texture to be 

 safely carried to distant markets, and call them best. But for distant 

 markets we must have varieties that will stand the rough handling that 

 is usually given them and still look fairly well when placed on sale. 



The best that I shall attempt to do in answering the question of "Best 

 Variety of Strawberries for Northern Indiana?" is to name my own 

 preference. First stating that my soil varies from the rich dark brown 

 of the creek bottoms to the stiff heavy clay soil of the hills. For first 

 early. Superb and Excelsior; for midsummer, Warfield and Sample; for 

 latest, Ridgeway and Robbie. As all our fruit is sold on the local market 

 beauty and quality count for more than firmness. 



Other growers whose soil and location are different from my own, 

 have a long list of dependable varieties to select from. We have the 

 Haverland, Crescent, Lovett, Greenville, Glen Mary and Clyde. Bubach 

 is still a favorite with many; Parker Early with others who have soils 

 that meet its special needs; Barton's Eclipse by many who do not like 

 the Haverland, and nearly every locality has some one variety that is 

 considered best. Amongst the many new varieties which we have fruited 

 the following are the most promising: Miller, Dunlap, Uncle Jim (Doman), 

 Rough Rider, Marie and Monitor. The last two belong to the Crescent 

 class. 



DISCUSSION. 



President Stevens: What is the largest yield per acre that you have 

 known in your part of the county? 



W. C. Reed: Three years ago I had one patch of two acres that made 

 700 orates. I don't know how many dollars. I think the average that 

 year was $1.50 per crate. That was an exceptional year. 



