AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 115 



fruit is Iborne upon tall runners, on stems from three to four inches long, 

 attached to the calyx by a coval-like neck, without seeds, there being very 

 few seeds in the berry. 



" It is of singular form, somewhat irregular, and frequently measures 

 seven inches in circumference. The flesh is firm, melting and juicy, hav- 

 ing the most exquisite pine flavor, and requiring, when eaten, little or no 

 sugar. This strawberry is a prolific bearer, opening its blossoms at the 

 south during the mild days of winter, and perfecting its fruits in the 

 spring, as the weather will permit. When ripe, their color is a rich, dark 

 crimson ; through its firmness and lack of acidity it will bear transporta- 

 tion better than any other strawberry." 



Having confidence in the statements of Mr. Peabody, I ventured to 

 enter pretty largely into the cultivation, and obtained from him ten dozen 

 plants, and planted them on the 25th of April, 1857, one dozen on the 

 rich ground of an old hot-bed, after removing a large portion of the 

 manure. Here I obtained a fine stock of plants and a specimen of fruit 

 the first season. The residue were planted in another compartment of 

 common garden soil, without manure^ and sufi"ered to throw out runners 

 in every direction ; these also gave a specimen of fruit the first season, 

 besides supplying a very large number of well-rooted plants, and with 

 these I have extended my plantation to half an acre or more, and I am 

 now preparing an additional acre for the exclusive cultivation of this mag- 

 nificent variety. 



The plants on the hot-bed ground are full of fine fruit, which is growing 

 very large, but not one ripe berry. The specimens accompanying this 

 were gathered this morning from the larger compartment, which was not 

 more than half cleaned out from the runners this spring, and the vines are 

 almost matted together. I have no hesitation in believing that if the 

 plants had had room, and been properly cultivated for the fruit only, that 

 Mr. Peabody 's statement as to the size of the plant and f rid t would have 

 been fully confirmed. As it is, 1 am satisfied we have now a perfect plant, 

 which can be cultivated with as little care as any plant ever introduced 

 into the garden, without the slightest hazard of obtaining a beautiful dis- 

 play of flowers and a bed of barren plants. I design, however, of testing 

 the qualities of eight or ten of the most approved varieties, and shall not 

 be so prejudiced as to omit to give them a fair trial in competition with 

 this variety. 



Wm. R. Prince exhibited 17 varieties, 16 of them of his own seedlings, 

 the other a new variety, a Canada strawberry called the Lady's Pine. 

 Mr. P. said : A staminate plant produces a great many unproductive 

 blossoms. The only exception is in Wilson's seedlings ; all other sorts are 

 less productive than pistillates. 



Dr. Ward. — The most productive strawberries that I grow, are stami- 

 nates or hermaphrodites, and I think that is the opinion of others. 



T. W. Field. — The Virginia scarlet, or as it is called, the Scotch runner, 

 is one of the most productive of all varieties, and yet this is a stamanate, 



