cjo The Strawberry Book. 



the numerous Queens, Princes, and Princesses, and doubt- 

 less others which I have overlooked. 



I do not share in the opinion that we have too many vari- 

 eties of strawberries, nor do I think we should cease trying 

 to perfect this valuable fruit. What has been done merely 

 shows us how great results we may hope for in the near 

 future. The careful hybridizer can plan in his mind what 

 kind of a strawberry he will have, and by a skilful se- 

 lection of parent plants he can realize his ideal. Not by 

 the first or the hundredth experiment, it may be, but sooner 

 or later he will get what he seeks. Although, to be sure, 

 Downing says, " A new variety must possess very supe- 

 rior qualities to entitle it to regard now that we have so 

 many fine fruits in our collections," yet no less an au- 

 thority than De Jonghe reminds us that we are very far 

 from having reached the bounds of perfection in straw- 

 berries. 



