THE WINNIPEG MEETING. 123 



When in naming" varieties of strawberries succeeding with them 

 I heard the Wilson, Crescent and Gandy given as the best, many of 

 the perplexing questions in pioneer strawberry culture vanished. 

 These three varieties where successfully grown comprise the broad 

 scope of home and commercial strawberry culture. 



The Crescent, in plant growth and yield, covers the field for 

 light soil and requires no great knowledge to be successful with ; 

 when soil becomes too rich it runs to plant growth and does not pro- 

 duce fruit. It is the plant for the masses, and the best one to begin 

 with. It cannot be set alone, as the bloom is not perfect, and another 

 variety must be planted alongside to have it fruit in paying quanti- 

 ties. This other variety will have to be named by Manitoba growers. 



The Wilson is next in order in strawberry culture. The land 

 must be heavier. It can be set alone, as its flower is perfect. The 

 culture of this variety is a stepping stone to better quality. It does 

 not succeed, as a rule, on light soil, but for heavy land is a pioneer 

 variety, as the Crescent is on light soil. 



The Gandy originated on a mucky, black soil, too dry for cran- 

 berry culture. It will fill the bill on moist, dark soil. Wherever it 

 will succeed no fears may be had of lack of moisture for any variety 

 of strawberry, as any lack of moisture is sure to cut its crop short. 

 It can be set alone. 



All of these varieties are abundant plant makers, and if all run- 

 ners are allowed to set the plants will become too thick in beds. All 

 useless plants are but weeds and of no. use to grow ; hence, the straw- 

 berry grower should be able to assign a reason for allowing them 

 to remain. In matted rows the tendency of most growers is to allow 

 too many plants. These tend to waste the moisture, and even if soil 

 contains moisture enough to carry through the fruiting season too 

 thick foliage tends to soften the berry, lighten the color and decrease 

 size. I am inclined to think that northwestern growers do not pay 

 attention enough to this subject but allow too many plants to set. 



The red, yellow and black raspberries do well in Manitoba. In 

 reds. Turner, Philadelphia, Cuthbert and Loudon ; yellow, Golden 

 Queen ; blacks I omitted to note. 



Many growers prefer Cuthbert and Golden Queen. The Golden 

 Queen is a sport of the Cuthbert and is inclined to be rather a more 

 vigorous grower, and is of better quality than Philadelphia. Black 

 caps grow well and bear abundantly. All berries sell for about 20 

 cents a quart, and this should be a great incentive to grow them. 



Currants, black, white and red, succeed admirably. 



Gooseberry. The Houghton is the most hardy and considered 



