MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL society. 87 
Ida. i) lpht 
Mr. Kenney. The Ida stood better than anything else last year 
with me. om 
Champion and Charles Downing. 
pr 
Pres. Smith. The Champion stood the best last year with me. 
The Charles Downing has been in the St. Paul market for four 
years now and has grown in favor. The vine is hardy, even more 
so than the Wilson, and the berries are large. 
Mr. Elliot. The fruit is very showy and is going to take well, 
but it will not bear so much handling as the Wilson; none will 
do that, but the Downing has a better flavor and a brighter acai 
color. 
Hart’s Seedling. 
Mr. Jewell. Does any one know anything more of pa s Seed- 
ling than was told last winter ? 
Pres. Smith. It lived well last winter, and those on exhibition 
last summer were very fine. 
Mr. Elliot. Out of twelve vines which I received, only two ied 
and those were much injured. 
History of Hart’s Seedling. 
[Since the meeting, Mr. Hart has sent us the following history 
of his Seedling strawberry, which we insert here:] 
While describing our Seedling apple trees, it may not be amiss to say a 
word about our Seedling strawberry, of which there is considerable inquiry 
this spring. As for ourselves, we prize it more than all the Seedling apples 
we have ever raised. We give you its history as brief as possible. About 
14 years ago we commenced to sow strawberry seed, raising a small patch 
every year since, and finding no berry as good as the Wilson, we threw them 
away as fast as tested. About three years ago we had a small patch with 
several varieties of berries in it, among which were the Agriculturist, Ju- 
cunda, Russell, Wilson, Triumph, Duke of Kent, &c. We took the largest 
berry we could find from each of these berries, saved the seed and sowed it, 
and raised over 200 different varieties. From this lot we got one plant from 
which our present stock originated, which, we think, is the best strawberry 
we have yet seen, considering size and quality. 
Respectfully yours, 
JOHN HART. 
