312 ANNUAL EEPORT 



at a period most critical in the proper development and perfection of 

 the crop. 



With this precaution and with such varieties as are best adapted to 

 such locations, with the Crescent, alternating with the Chas. Down- 

 ing or Countess as a fertilizer, the ordinary market grower will be 

 most likely to succeed; or, if a single variety be preferred, perhaps 

 there is nothing that has yet been thoroughly proved that is more 

 likely to give satisfaction than the old Wilson. One of the greatest 

 recommendations of this light soil, and why I like it best, is its easy 

 cultivation; for we can certainly tend two acres during the season as 

 easy as we can one on a strong, wet clay. 



Soils are like individuals; every one possesses a distinctive charac- 

 ter of its own unlike every other, and I am willing to admit that the 

 largest and best crops of strawberries I ever saw grown without irri- 

 gation were grown on a moist, heavy soil underlaid with clay. To 

 succeed with this, however, we must use an entirely different system 

 of cultivation, and instead of matted rows use hills and grow strong, 

 vigorous varieties like the Jewell and Sharpless, or Manchester and 

 Mount Vernon, that will form a large number of strong fruit crowns 

 from a single root. 



VARIETIES 



When the Wilson strawberry ^^as introduced to the public some 30 

 years ago, in its primitive vigor, it so far surpassed all other competi- 

 tors in the good qualities necessary for an ideal market berry, that it 

 fairly revolutionized the business of commercial strawberry growing; 

 but with old age its vigor declined, and it must now yield to its young- 

 er rivals the leadership it has so long maintained. Of the varieties 

 suitable for the climate and soil of Minnesota, which it is safe for the 

 large growers to plant with reasonable assurance of success, (always 

 remembering to plant the perfect flowering variety, as often as one 

 row in four among the pistillates,) I would recommend the Crescent, 

 a large, conical, scarlet berry, of good quality, hardy, vigorous, and 

 healthy, and very productive, (season middle of June,) but with the 

 fault of berry rather soft, and a pistillate or obtuse stammate blos- 

 som. Manchester, a large, round, conical, crimson, firm and good 

 late berry, (season the last of June,) with pistillate blossom and liable 

 to rust. Mount Yernon, a large, round, conical, scarlet, bisexual late 

 berry, of good quality, steadily growing in favor where best known. 

 Season last of June. Countess or Downer's, medium, round, con- 

 ical, scarlet, very good bisexual, of firm texture, hardy and vigorous. 



