AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 147 



HOOKER'S SEEDLING STRAWBERRY. 



Joseph H. Coggswell, writing from Poughkeepsie, under date of August 

 5, wishes to record his opinion that the Hooker seedling strawberry is the 

 very best variety now in cultivation. It was originated in 1850, by 

 H. E. Hooker, of Rochester, and grows to a size of five inches in circum- 

 ference, is of deep red color, handsome form, and delicious flavor. Mr. 

 Coggswell says : "I wait with impatience the report of the next discussion 

 of the club, as the topic announced is one of very great importance." 



T. W. Field and Andrew S. Fuller, both replied that Hooker's seedling 

 was not a deep red here, but a scarlet, and too soft, when ripe, for a market 

 berry. Wilson's seedling is better. 



TURNIP SEED. 



A letter from John R. Stork, of Coventryville, says that seed produced 

 from "premium turnips," left out over winter, well protected, will be as 

 good as though they were taken up and transplanted ; but seed from "pin- 

 feather turnips " will produce its like. 



WHExiT WITH WEAK STRAW. 



Now hei'e is a letter upon a very important subject, which I hope, if not 

 fully answered to-day, will be hereafter : 



"Fulton, Lancaster Co., Pa., 8 mo. 9, 18.58. 



" I have, for several years past, been troubled with my wheat falling 

 before maturity. I have been induced to believe there is something want- 

 ing in the soil to impart strength to the stalks. The system that I have 

 pursued for several years, is to manure the corn ground in the spring with 

 clover chaff (having a clover mill), which almost invariably produces good 

 corn ; the next spring I sow the stalk ground with oats and clover seed ; 

 the oats frequently fall before ripe ; the clover is let stand the next season, 

 and either mowed or pastured ; if the latter the ground is manured from 

 the barnyard, and after harvest is plowed and sowed with wheat ; the wheat 

 stubble is again slightly manured from the barnyard, plowed and sowed 

 again with wheat and timothy seed, with the view of setting it with grass. 

 My fields have all been limed over twice, and some of them three times, 

 within twenty years. I have not sufficient scientific skill in such matters 

 as to state the quality or component parts of the soil, which might, perhaps, 

 enable the members of the club to arrive at a correct judgment in the pre- 

 mises. I have been an interested reader of the proceedings of the club 

 from time to time, and have thought that with the large experience of its 

 members, something might be suggested that would be beneficial in imparting 

 strength or stifi'ness to the wheat plant. I should be much gratified to see 

 that the subject has been brought to the notice of the Farmers' Club ; and if a 

 practical remedy for the evil referred to can be suggested, a very impor- 

 tant benefit will be conferred on a large portion of the farmers of this 

 section of country, who have suffered in a similar way with myself. 



"Respecfully yours, &c., 



"JOEL SNEEDLEY." 



