430 ANNUAL REPORT 



From the past experience, I should set but few varieties, such as 

 Whitney, Transcendent, Beech's Sweet, and Early Strawberry, 



We obtained a nice supply of red raspberries from Shaffer 

 raspberry. The bushes do not sprout like Philadelphia or 

 Turner, but grow like the black cap family; berries very large. 

 It gives us better returns than any other variety. It is excellent 

 to can for winter use, — the canes are largast and stand the winters 

 best of any we have tried. We are testing Windom dewberry, 

 planted last spring. The vines made a good growth. 



Good nurserymen that grow their own trees, are the menthafc 

 I always patronize. For these men I have a high regard. They 

 are " Natures Noblemen." I do not look for them to realize the 

 fullest reward in this life, but their failures will enable them to 

 look for something better beyond than the short lived trees they 

 tried all their lives to make live. Possibly in the near future 

 some hardy variety may be brought out that will stand this 

 severe climate, and produce a new industry. 



EEPOET FROM HOUSTON COUNTY. 

 By J. G. Kramer, La Orescent. 



I send you a few words in regard t» my experience with 

 strawberries. I have been experimenting for twenty-three years, 

 sowing seed every year, but mostly without result. During the 

 whole time I have found but two varieties worthy of propagation, 

 one of which is known as Kramer's Seedling No. 2. It is a pro- 

 fitable berry, yields well, one of the latest in ripening, and is a 

 good market berry, always bringing a good price; hardy in win- 

 ter or summer, a free runner, pistilate, very hard to pick. In 

 order of ripening Crescent is first. Captain Jack next, and then 

 Kramer's Seedling No. 2. 



M}' new seedling. Early Princess is the most prolific bearer, 

 if not the best of all the varieties I have tried, ripening a few 

 days later than Crescent. It produces immense and strong 

 plants, of healthy foliage, thick, green and bright; long stamens, 

 thick and strong roots running straight down into the ground, 

 which makes it a very strong plant. You can pick eight or 

 more good berries from a single stem. For shipping it is one of 

 the best. I sent three quarts to the summer meeting of the So- 



