250 ANNUAL REPORT 



seedlings. This kind has fruited five years. In 1884 twenty- 

 six berries, making two quarts, were shown at the Chicago con- 

 vention. These were either overripe or badly handled, as they 

 did not show good shipping qualities. The past season (perhaj)S 

 owing to the drought) they were much firmer. If there is any 

 weak point in the Jessie, this is it, lack of firmness for long 

 shipments. I picked two quarts one evening for trial on the 

 table, but when I got home selected one quart and sent it with 

 other fruit six hundred miles, and forty-eight hours after pick- 

 ing it was in good condition. But this- is no test of shipping 

 qualities. 



The wonderful show of Jessie at our June convention, and the 

 visit to the two acres in bearing, captivated the whole crowd, 

 and we did ^^ Resolve, That the show of 'Jessie' exceeds anything 

 we have ever seen, in size, productiveness and quality; and we 

 believe it possesses more valuable qualities than any variety now 

 disseminated." This is very strongly put, but the facts fully 

 justify the resolution. The trials on a variety of soils here, and 

 Mr. Crawford's report from Ohio, lead us to believe that it is a 

 prize worth the seeking. It is large, too, very large, uniform 

 in shape and color, perfect in the blossom, very healthy and 

 vigorous, wonderfully productive, and stands drought splen- 

 didly. In competition with Sharpless, it took first i)rize for 

 size; and competing with Atlantic, Prince of Berries, Mrs. Gar- 

 field and many others, it took first for quality. This is but one 

 of the fifty kinds now fruiting, and Mr. Loudon is raising new 

 seedlings from the best crosses every year, by the hundred. He 

 has doubtless thrown away many kinds far ahead of many that 

 have had a wonderful run. He has some that surpass in size the 

 Jessie, and may prove better on further trial. 



DISCUSSION ON THE " JESSIE." 



Mr. Cutler. As this report has brought the Jessie strawberry 

 before the Society I should like to hear something further about 

 it; I think before investing very heavily in this new berry we 

 had better get the full facts in the case; and then I would advise 

 not to invest too heavily. As Mr. Smith was mentioned as one 

 of the gentlemen who visited the grounds where it grew I should 

 be glad to hear from him. 



Mr. J. M. Smith. Mr. President, I was one of the number of 

 the members of our state society when they made the trip last 



