VARIETIES, CHARACTER, ETC. 1 25 



The most accurate and extended list of varieties with 

 which I am acquainted is to be found in Downing's " Ency- 

 clopaedia of Fruits and Fruit Trees of America." It contains 

 the names, with their synonymes, and the descriptions of 

 over 250 kinds, and to this I refer the reader. 



The important question to most minds is not how many 

 varieties exist, but what kinds will give the best returns. If 

 one possesses the deep, rich, moist loam that has been de- 

 scribed, almost any good variety will yield a fair return, and 

 the best can be made to give surprising results. For table 

 use and general cultivation. North and South, East and West, 

 I would recommend the Charles Downing, Monarch of the 

 West, Seth Boyden, Kentucky Seedling, Duchess, and Golden 

 Defiance. These varieties are all first-rate in quality, and 

 they have shown a wonderful adaptation to varied soils and 

 climates. They have been before the public a number of 

 years, and have persistently proved their excellence. There- 

 fore, they are worthy of a place in every garden. With 

 these valuable varieties for our chief supply, we can try a 

 score of other desirable kinds, retaining such as prove to be 

 adapted to our taste and soil. 



If our land is heavy, we can add to the above, in 

 Northern latitudes, Triomphe de Gand, Jucunda, President 

 Wilder, Forest Rose, President Lincoln, Sharpless, Pioneer, 

 and Springdale. 



If the soil is light, containing a large proportion of sand 

 and gravel, the Charles Downing, Kentucky Seedling, Mon- 

 arch of the West, Duchess, Cumberland Triumph, Miner's 

 Prolific, Golden Defiance, and Sharpless will be almost cer- 

 tain to yield a fine supply of large and dehcious berries, 

 both North and South. 



Let me here observe that varieties that do well on light 

 soils also thrive equally well and often better on heavy land. 



