STRAWBERRIES AND THEIR CULTURE 



W. T. MACOUN, HORTICULTURIST^ 



DURING the past 16 years more than 

 400 named varieties of strawberries 

 have been tested at the Central Experimen- 

 tal Farm, Ottawa, under as nearly uniform 

 conditions as possible. Every year many 

 new varieties are offered for sale, some at 

 very high prices. It has been the aim to 

 test these alongside older varieties and find 

 out whether they are any better. Ninety- 

 five per cent, of the varieties introduced 

 every year are inferior to the best varieties 

 already grown. 



Many kinds are discarded at the farm 

 every year, having been tested long enough 

 to judge of their merits. In 1904 there 

 were 196 varieties tested. As the average 

 results are more conclusive than those for 

 a single year, the following 12 varieties, 

 which have averaged best for four years, 

 are those which would be likely to prove 

 most productive when the conditions are the 

 same as at Ottawa, the soil beirig a rich 

 sandy loam not lacking in moisture. 



Most productive 12 varieties in order of 

 merit : 



1. Mele, Perf. This is a wonderfully 

 productive berry, but being rather soft is 

 not highly recommended. Fruit above 

 medium size, roundish or jx)inted conical, 

 pale but glossy red. Quality medium. 



2. Sample, Imp. The Sample is un- 

 doubtedly one of the best commercial straw- 

 berries on the market. In is very produc- 

 tive, handsome and uniform in shape. Fruit 

 large, 'bright and rather deep glossy red, and 

 moderately firm. Season medium to late, 

 quality medium. 



3. Buster, Imp. Although not generally 

 known, the Buster is another fine variety. 

 It is very productive, and the fruit, which is 

 large, maintains its size well to the end of 

 the season. The color is pale, glossy red, 

 much like Clyde in appearance. Moderately 

 firm ; quality above medium ; season medium 

 to late ; foliage verv good. 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, OTTAWA. 



4. Bisel, Imp. This variety has been 

 lost sight of to a large extent owing to so 

 many new and much advertised varieties be- 

 ing given such prominence, but it is one of 

 the most productive auid handsomest berries 

 tested at Ottawa. It is a superior variety. 

 Fruit large, roundish, bright red, moderate- 

 ly firm. Quality above medium ; season 

 medium to late. 



5. Afton, Imp. Can see no difference 

 between this variety and Warfield. 



6. Steven's Early, Imp. Appears identi- 

 cal with Warfield. 



7. Glen Mary, Perf. The Glen Mary 

 has for years been one of the most produc- 

 tive varieties at the Central Experimental 

 Farm. It combines great productiveness 

 with very large size of fruit, the fruit re- 

 maining large until the end of the season. 

 Fruit verv large, rather irregular in shape, 

 bright red, moderately firm; quality me- 

 dium ; season medium. The irregularity of 

 the fruit is somewhat against it. 



8. Daisy, Imp. The Daisy is a variety 

 which was sent to the experimental farm for 

 test 16 years ago and has always proved ex- 

 ceedinglv productive. Fruit above medium 

 size, uniform in shai^e, round-conical, rather 

 soft, bright glossy red. Quality medium ; 

 season medium. A very attractive berry 

 but a little soft. 



9. Greenville, Imp. This variety has 

 proved very productive here, but on account 

 of its good quality is very desirable for home 

 use as well as market. Fruit large to very 

 large, roundish or wedge shaped, moderately 

 firm to rather soft. Quality good ; season 

 medium. More suitable for near than for 

 distant market. 



10. Daniel Boone, Imp. This variety 

 appears identical with Warfield. 



11. Howard's No. 41, Imp. A firm, pro- 

 ductive, medium to late variety with medium 

 sized deep red fruit. 



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