VARIETIES, CHARACTER, ETC. 12/ 



MARKET STRAWBERRIES. 



Thus far I have named those kinds whose fine flavor and 

 beauty entitle them to a place in the home garden. But 

 with a large class, market qualities are more worthy of con- 

 sideration ; and this phase of the question introduces us to 

 some exceedingly popular varieties not yet mentioned. The 

 four great requirements of a market strawberry are produc- 

 tiveness, size, a good, bright color, and — that it may endure 

 long carriage and rough handling — firmness. Because of 

 the indifference of the consumer, as explained in an earlier 

 chapter, that which should be the chief consideration — 

 flavor — is scarcely taken into account. In the present 

 unenlightened condition of the public, one of the oldest 

 strawberries on the list — Wilson's Seedling — is more largely 

 planted than all other kinds together. It is so enormously 

 productive, it succeeds so well throughout the entire coun- 

 try, and is such an early berry, that, with the addition of its 

 fine carrying qualities, it promises to be the great market 

 berry for the next generation also. But this variety is not 

 at all adapted to thin, poor land, and is very impatient of 

 drought. In such conditions, the berries dwindle rapidly 

 in size, and even dry up on the vines. Where abundant 

 fertility and moisture can be maintained, the yield of a 

 field of Wilsons is simply marvellous. On a dry hillside 

 close by, the crop from the same variety may not pay for 

 picking. Plantations of Wilsons should be renewed every 

 two years, since the plant speedily exhausts itself, producing 

 smaller berries with each successive season. The Wilson 

 is perhaps the best berry for preserving, since it is hard and 

 its acid is rich and not watery. 



A rival of the Wilson has appeared within the last few 

 years, — the Crescent Seedling, also an early berr}', origi- 



