PROCEEDINGS OF THE farmers' CLUB. 105 



equal guano ; but generally stimulating manures which give their 

 results the first season, leave the soil in a worse condition than 

 it was in before. 



Dr. Peck alluded to the indefinite way farmers have of speaking 

 of putting on so many " loads of manure " to the acre, without 

 specifying how large a load, or what kind of manure. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



Mr, Carpenter exhibited a specimen of the Austin strawberries, 

 which he considered remarkable for its lateness. They were sent 

 here from Watervliet, near Albany. The Wilson, growing by 

 their side, had ceased fruiting before these were ripe for the 

 market. These are the only good strawberries now coming into 

 New York. They are not so sour as the Wilson. 



Mr. Pardee said there seemed to be a general dissatisfaction 

 with Downer's seedling and the Austin strawberry. Downer's 

 seedling is prolific but the berries are small and the flavor is 

 very indifferent. The Austin is hollow, rather mealy, lacks the 

 requisite of a good flavor, very soon becomes insipid, and is not 

 prolific under ordinary culture. His own observation had been 

 that this strawberry was no better than others. If it could be 

 established as a fact that it is later, it will be valuable, and bring 

 a large price after other strawberries are gone. Strawberries 

 that will bear three days earlier will bring a dollar instead of 

 eighteen cents per quart. 



Ml-. Robinson said that in his garden the Wilson held out ten 

 days longer than the Austin. It might possibly be because the 

 Wilson plants were a year older. He did not consider it firm 

 enough for a market strawberry. They Avill sell, however, if late 

 enough to be offered after the better strawberries are gone. 



Dr. Trimble thought that those who raised these strawberries 

 ought to be encouraged, for they were certainly in a good condi- 

 tion, of fair size, and with a strawberry flavor, coming at a time 

 when we have no other strawberries. 



Mr. Carpenter reminded the Club that he had exhibited the 

 Austin strawberry last year as late as July 22d, The Hooker 

 strawberry is much better flavored j but it is not hardy, and 

 does not bear satisfactorily. 



Mr. Hite. — Plant the Hooker straAvberries six inches apart and 

 you will have as much fruit as from the Wilson planted at 12 to 

 18 inches. 



