The Canadian Horticulturist. 313 



REPORT ON NEW AND OLD VARIETIES OF STRAW- 

 BERRIES FOR 1894. 



S is my custom, after the bearing season is over, I wish to 

 let you know how the strawberry has done here. They 

 came through the winter in good condition ; the spring 

 opened warm, and plants grew rapidly, then came a spell 

 of rain and very cold, which seemed to stop their growth. 

 The frost in May did serious damage to the crop of straw- 

 berries here, destroying fully one-half. The early varieties 

 suffered most ; medium and late did fairly well. Of the 

 largest berries I ever had, the " Weolverton" excelled itself. We had plenty 

 of them that sixteen berries would fill a box ; they were the largest berries ever 

 brought to St. Marys, except No. 44. 



Was it the repeated cold rains during their blooming for a certain period, 

 or the late frost, or both of them ? One thing is certain that the crop, with a few 

 exceptions in variety, did not give the amount of fruit we expected from its 

 appearance early in the season. 



I am still of the opinion that the difference in time of blooming at times 

 makes the main difference in the crop. 



Notice what the R. N. Yorker says : — " A berry is no longer valuable 

 because of its earliness alone. It must have size and quality." It also says : — 

 " Brandywine is the best late berry we know of, good shape, good quality, firm 

 and productive." 



Mr. Crawford says his experience with the Brandywine is that it is one of 

 the best in all respects that he has seen, " It has no weak points. The plant 

 is large, healthy, vigorous and productive ; the blossom perfect, fruit large, bright 

 red, firm and good. 



The originator of the Brandywine picked this year 200 bushels of berries 

 from Brandywine plants on one acre of ordinary land, and sold them in Phila- 

 delphia for 17 c. a box. 



Of the new varieties sent me for testing in 1893, and fruiting this year, a 

 report would be no criterion as to their value owing to this very unfavorable 

 season. From C. C Stone, No. i, Gertrude and Plow City, are very promising. 

 His No. 4 and Governor Fifer need further testing. 



Two varieties from Edward T. Ingram — Glen Mary and Brandywine — 

 fruited once, both promising. Brandywine especially, although all the bloom 

 being killed, its vitality enabled it to bloom again and give a fair crop of large, 

 handsome berries. It is a late berry and staminate. 



Thompson's Rio, 64 and 88 did well considering the season. 

 From M. Crawford — His Margaret Staples and Annie Laurie are large in 

 berry, with a healthy plant. 



