THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



155 



STRAWBERRIES. 



The following account of the opinions 

 given at the last meeting of the Ameri- 

 can Pomological Society was given to 

 the Prairie Farmer by the horticultural 

 Editor, Mr. T. T. Lyon. 



P. T. Quinn, of Newark, N.J., com- 

 menced by saying that his views, as to 

 the proper method of growing straw- 

 berries had undergone a change within 

 the last dozen years. He is now of the 

 opinion that the best of soil and culti- 

 vation is requisite for the production of 

 fine berries and profitable crops. 



Until recently he had planted in 

 summer, but now thinks spring plant- 

 ing more profitable. He gives clean 

 culture till the middle of September, 

 and then mulches for the winter, raking 

 off the covering in spring. He omits 

 the use of horse power in cultivation 

 during the year of fruiting, for the rea- 

 son that the feeding roots come too 

 near the surftice, and would hence be 

 too much disturbed by the cultivator. 



He stated that he had produced over 

 170 bushels from a single acre. It is 

 his practice to test the promising, new 

 varieties. All things considered, the 

 Charles Downing is his favorite, though 

 Boyden's No. 30 (Seth Boyden), is 

 popular with dealei-s. His last crop 

 netted him fourteen cents per quart. 



Dr. Hexamer, of N.Y., dwelt largely 

 upon the value and importance of irri- 

 gation. He concurred with Mr. Quinn 

 in a preference for sjjring planting, but 

 thought Wilson one of the best ship- 

 ping berries. For amateur planters he 

 recommended the use of potted plants. 

 In response to a question by a member, 

 he remarked that the Triom[)he de 

 Gand was one of the finest of shipping 

 strawberries. 



The consideration of the several 

 varieties served to bring out promi- 

 nently the fact that nearly or quite all 

 varieties are more or less local, so far 



as successful cultivation is concerned; 

 a very few only proving satisfactory 

 over an extended range of territory. 



Agriculturist was not generally 

 thought worthy of a place in the cata- 

 logue. 



Black Defiance was commended as 

 " best " for those who want a first-class 

 large berry. 



Captain Jack, one of the best market 

 beri'ies. Quite prolific. 



Charles Downing, one of the best of 

 all berries for general use. Said to be 

 liable to blight in some places. 



Col. Cheney, good, if well fertilized. 



Crystal City, a valuable early berry. 

 Commended in Georgia, but not as good 

 for shipping. Said to be poor and small 

 on clay. 



Crescent is very well able to take 

 care of itself, has great vitality, is pro- 

 fitable for a near market. 



Cumberland Triumph, one of the 

 best, popular everywhere. A good 

 shipping berry in Ohio ; holds its size 

 till last picking. 



Downer's Prolific is being replaced 

 by more recent and better varieties. 



Duchess, an early berry ; does well 

 grown in hills. 



Duncan, early and of very fine 

 quality. 



Forest Rose, under ordinary culture 

 has not realized the antici})ations of 

 growers. Its foliage fails and the blos- 

 soms are tender. 



General Sherman, poor in quality. 



Glendale, generally regarded as 

 worthless. 



Glossy Cone, fails under the influence 

 of sun. and drought. 



Golden Defiance, a fine, late variety, 

 for home use. 



Great American, variable and uncer- 

 tain, usually unpixKiuctive ; very dis- 

 appointing. 



