LA CRESCENT TRIAL STATION. 269 



moderate, but gfenerally well ripened up. Following conditions 

 were most favorable, or we might have experienced a repetition of 

 the wholesale slaughter of 1872-3 or 1884-5. If copious rains had not 

 fallen it would have caused root-killing, or if the rains had come 

 but a few days sooner and been followed with a temperature high 

 enough to start a new flow of sap and growth, it would have caused 

 top-killing. Although portions of the winter were extremely cold 

 and the ground not covered with sufficient depth of snow to keep 

 out frost, the roots of trees and plants were not injured in the least 

 and were able to aflford moisture to supply the loss by evaporation, 

 and in the coldest weather the frozen wood did not show the shriv- 

 eled condition that we have often noticed during some previous 

 hard winters. Doubtless, also, the conditions of the spring may be 

 set down as favorable. 



Strawberries — Strawberry plants wintered perfectly, whether 

 covered or not; if there was any difference, it was in favor of the un- 

 covered or most slightly covered. Plants bloomed heavily and set 

 well, with the promise of a phenomenal crop, but excessive rains 

 since the latter part of May, warm, cloudy weather and the great 

 electrical storm of June 11th, has greatly injured the crop. 



The Clyde is a very strong grower, and this season is out-yielding 

 every other variety. As usual, the Bederwood is yielding well and 

 showing itself to be about the best early berry for the farmer. We 

 had thought of discarding the Rio, but this season it is proving to 

 be one of the very best early berries. 



Glen Mary is a strong healthy plant; fruit large and abundant, 

 not as good or attractive as the Clyde. Nick Ohmer is a giant 

 among plants; fruit large and fine. Splendid is maintaining its 

 reputation and ought to have a place in every plantation. We have 

 no further use for the Michel's Early. It is only valuable as a pol- 

 lenizer and to give one or two light pickings of very fine fruit. The 

 Sparta is not satisfactory on our soil. Several newer varieties have 

 been planted for trial. The season of ripening is one week later than 

 last year, and full results cannot be given at this date, June 15th. 



Raspberries — We do not usually lay down and cover our raspber- 

 ries. Old plantations of blackcaps, with the exception of the Older, 

 suffered more than in any winter since 1884-5, and will not bring a 

 half crop, and all reds, except Loudon, Miller and Red King were 

 killed badly; the Cuthbert so badly that there will be scarcely any 

 fruit. A plantation of the Loudon, without any protection, wintered 

 perfectly and promises a fine crop. The King is also a very prom- 

 ising variety. Blackberries of all varieties killed worse than we 

 ever had them before. 



Currants that were infested with worms last year were injured by 

 the winter. Other stood the winter well and are producing a fair 

 crop. The Red Dutch is not doing as well as the Victoria, Prince 

 Albert and Long Bunch Holland. A few plants of Pomona, Moore's 

 Ruby and Fuller were planted last year, of which the Pomona is 

 the most promising. The plant is vigorous and productive. 



Grapes— The crop of grapes in 1898 was immense. This year we 

 expect less than a half crop. All varieties were somewhat injured. 



