105 



ilary, J^)raiulywine and Commouwealtli. 



In due time, twelve or thirteen little plants struggled 

 against a very dry season, and suffered some neglect. How- 

 ever five or six of the most vigorous were transplanted, but 

 in 1909, all were destroyed but one whose vigor offered some 

 promise. In 1910. this plant produced three 'oerries that 

 also were promising. In the sju-ing of 1911, having sold my 

 home. I took up this plant and two of its well rooted run- 

 ners, and brought them to Randolph, my present home. 



Unfortunately, the ground where these were planted was 

 covered with ice most of the following winter, so that but 

 one plant survived; and it too, bore three berries. But the 

 berries were improving as to size, and were also getting 

 darker. 



In Jmie of 1914, four ((uarts of St. Martin's received 

 the silver medal of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 

 I received first prize in its class in 1915. That year, owing 

 to the early date of the exhibition. I found just enough of 

 the berries for the required -two quarts. I couk*. not have 

 found another ripe berry. 



In 1916. June 24-25. I entered it in four classes, and it 

 received three first prizes and one second. And in July 8-9. 

 T entered four quarts, not in competition, but simply to 

 shoAV that St. Martin holds to its large size to the last pick- 

 ing. And it was awarded the Society's gratuity prize of 

 two dollars. On those two dates St. ^Martin was the only 

 strawberry exhibited at Horticultural Hall. 



Up to 1916 the plants have been free from blemishes, 

 but the past season they have developed some leaf spot, 

 which I attribute to the excessive rains of the early season. 



The plants are prolific, of long, strong runners, and 

 very prolific of large, dark berries, red to the center. The 

 largest berries are shaped somewhat like a blunt wedge, 

 with slight longitudinal corrugations. Berries that are a lit- 

 tle smaller, are heart shaped and well formed. 



THE CHAIR^MAN: I think there is a matter Dr. Gilson 

 wants to liring to our attention. Is Dr. Gilson in the room? 



