24 



BLACKBERRIES. 



Agatvam. After another season's trial we can report that it is per- 

 fectly hardy, very vigorous in growth, productive, and of the 

 best quality. It is not quite large enough, however, to compete 

 with such varieties as the lYilson. but for New ELngland no other 

 variety possesses so many good qualities. It ripens before the 

 Snyder. 



Snyder. Perfectly hardy, vigorous, productive and of good quality. 

 The fruit is firm but often changes to a reddish color after being 

 kept a short time. 



Taylor's Prolific. The most productive blackberry on our grounds, 

 but the fruit ripens late and is not of as good quality as the two 

 previously mentioned. 



Wachusett. Hardy, vigorous, moderately productive and of good 

 quality, but small size. The canes are less thorny than other 

 varieties, whence the name Wachusett Thornless, often given. 

 Except on a rich soil the berries are too small to sell readilj' in 

 market. 



Early Harvest, Early Cluster, Wilson and Wilson, Jr., are nW too 

 tender to grow succe^sfulIy in Massachusetts, except by covering. 

 From the large size of the berry, the Wilson and Wilson Jr. may 

 be found profitable by covering the canes to protect them. 



Lucretia. The fruit upon this running blackberry was very fine and 



of good quality. It ripens its fruit so early that it may become 



profitable if covered in winter and if the ground can be mulched 



to protect the fruit from coming in contact with the soil. 



The new varieties which will fruit next year are Erie, Fred, Min- 



newaski, Western Triumph, Thom[)son's Mammoth. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



The strawberry crop began ripening about one week later than the 

 average season. In most sections of the State the crop was reported 

 good, and of large size, but the yield very much below the average. The 

 price reahzed for the fruit on account of its improved size and scar- 

 '•ity was much above the average, and we hope growers generally, 

 will take the lesson of the season and improve their methods of cultiva- 

 tion and shipping, as an improved condition of the fruit will certainly 

 increase the consumption and enhance the price. 



We must also give more attention to quality, for people are learn- 



