SMALL. FRUITS. 337 



acres of strawberries, as well as some grapes and raspberries. E. CraDdall 

 of this place had a good crop of raspberries, currants and grapes, and is 

 one of the best and most practical horticulturists of this district. P. 

 Ryan of this town had about sixteen bushels of Wealthy and Duchess 

 apples, and I think was the first one of our citizens to market home-grown 

 apples other than crabs. 



I am pleased to report that our farmers are not humbugged as much as 

 formerly. Still I believe there is room for improvement, as long as agents 

 sell the "best apple trees on earth at $20 per dozen" and ordinary straw- 

 berry plants at $4 per hundred. I would suggest to the society that no 

 recommendations be given a fruit, of which the stock of trees or plants is 

 controlled by a single individual or company, and sold under restrictions. 

 Trusting that this may be as interesting and profitable a meeting as its 

 predecessors, I remain yours to serve. 



SMALL FRUITS. 



J. A. SAMPSON. EXCELSIOR. 



To what shall I 



Eipe fruit compare? 

 'Tis better than music 



Blending in the air, 



I cannot find words 



To fully express. 

 Except to thank God, 



And ask him to bless. 



It is health, comfort and joy to all appreciative people to have plenty 

 of nice, ripe strawberries, rasi>berries, currants, blackberries and other 

 fruits in their season. 



I will turn my attention first to strawberries, the first fruit of the 

 season. Of the varieties in the catalogue, there are few which I 

 would recommend for general culture. I grow the Wilson and Crescent. 



The Wilson is a perfect-flowering plant with choice, solid and some- 

 what acid fruit. It stands shipping nicely, and is one of the best for 

 canning: therefore, the result is that it stands at the head as regards a 

 market berry. The only fault that I know of as regards the Wilson is 

 that it is slow to propagate. 



The Crescent does not give a perfect flower, but needs the Wilson or 

 some other perfect-flowering plant with it in order that it may bear fruit. 

 It is a choice berry of medium size, will stand shipping a short distance 

 in dry weather, but soon softens if the weather continues wet. It is pro- 

 lific in both fruit and plants— will make five or more plants to the 

 Wilson's one. 



My advice is never to try to get perfect flowering plants from a mixed 

 bed, but to keep a supply of newly-grown plants by themselves for your 

 next field or bed. There are several other varieties of strawberries that 

 are profitable for general culture, but not having full experience with them 

 I prefer not to mention them. 



Rasprerries— Red. — I can almost see the bushes loaded with the 

 bright fruit. I grow the Turner and Cuthburt. 

 22 h 



