THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



197 



there are many varieties which will 

 pay better. Some varieties are much 

 earlier, some later, some larger and 

 more attractive in appearance and bet- 

 ter flavored ; and I think it just as 

 absurd to claim the Wilson as the 

 only market berry as it would be to 

 claim the Baldwin as the only market 

 apple, because it is the best shipper. 

 Besides, when we can have as good a 

 berry a week earlier and another a week 

 later, it is a great advantage, not only 

 to the producer but to the consumer, 

 to have a succession of varieties, and 

 thus prolong the season. In growing 

 berries for profit, some people forget 

 that it is not always the variety that 

 produces the most fruit, or even sells 

 for the most money per acre, that is 

 the most profitable. For instance, if 

 an acre of Wilson's produces say 3,000 

 quarts, and sell for 10 cents per quart, 

 that is $300, and it costs a cent a 

 quart to pick them, $30, and $20 for 

 crates and baskets, there would be 

 more profit in an acre of Dominions, 

 yielding 2,000 quarts and selling at 

 15 cents per quart, $300, because then^ 

 would be a saving in picking of 1,000 

 quarts, besides baskets and crates, trans- 

 portation, (fee, which would amount to 

 about $20. My experience with these 

 two varieties would be in just about 

 that ratio; and I think there would 

 be a greater difference still with the 

 Sharpless in some of our large towns 

 and cities, where people are willing to 

 pay fancy prices for extra fruit. In 

 regard to -early varieties, we all know 

 that the first fruit of the season, par- 

 ticularly strawberries, brings the best 

 price ; and when you can get a berry 

 that will produce as much fruit as the 

 Wilson, aud get it into market four or 

 five days ahead of that variety, you 

 certainly have a more profitable one. 

 And I am quite sure we have at least 

 one or two varieties that will do this : 

 the Early Canada for one, and one of 



Arnold's Seedlings for another, though 

 the latter is not quite firm enough 

 perhaps for shipping long distances. 

 Again, if we can get a berry that will 

 produce as much fruit, and sell for as 

 much money at a much less cost of pro- 

 duction and cultivation, we can make 

 a profit in that direction ; and I think 

 we have this in the Crescent Seedling, 

 which, I believe, will produce more 

 fruit at less expense than any other 

 variety yet tested. It should be called 

 the Lazy Man's Berry, for when once 

 started it will almost take care of itself. 

 I have fruited several new varieties 

 the present season, which, I think, will 

 take a front rank as profitable for mar- 

 ket where they will not have to be 

 shipped too far. Among these are two 

 or thi-ee sent out by our veteran hy- 

 bridizer, Charles Arnold. One has 

 already been mentioned as an eai'ly 

 kind. There are two or three more, 

 which, for productiveness, I think, are 

 fully up to Wilson, while for size and 

 beauty of appearance they are head 

 and shoulders above it ; but, like most 

 large berries, they are not firm enough 

 for long shipment. In regard to their 

 flavor, that dej)ends upon tastes : those 

 who admire a tart, sprightly berry 

 would not be satisfied with them per- 

 haps, while those who like bannanas 

 would. But flavor in strawberries, in 

 a money point of view, is of but little 

 consequence ; it is size and color that 

 tells. But if flavor is desired in con- 

 nection with the other good points, I 

 think we shall get it in the Bidwell, 

 which I regard as a very promising;^ 

 variety. There is another new oi:^ 

 clamoi-ing for public favor, called ^e • 

 Manchester, said to be enormously pro-, 

 ductive and of excellent quali^. . I . 

 have ouly fruited it enough to jjiwilge of 

 the quality, which is good. If asked 

 which of all the strawberries. X have 

 grown combine in the greatest degree 

 the exeellenciep, of size, ctO^tjor^ flavor,^ 



