FRUIT committee's REPORT. 79 



"wholly or in part into a structure for forcing them, out of season ; and even 

 for furnishing roses or other choice flowers. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



The first strawberries of the season, grown in the open ground, were 

 shown on June 11th, the exhibitor stating that he picked ripe berries from 

 the same vines on the 4th, and for the second time on June 18th. In both 

 cases the variety exhibited was the Jenny Lind, that seems, from year to 

 year, more fully to establish its character as a very early sort, and in other 

 respects to confirm all that has heretofore been said in its favor, as being a 

 handsome, hardy, prolific variety, of good quality. 



Two seedling strawberries were exhibited during the season, — one by 

 Mr. J. W. Manning, and the other by Mr. Isaac Ellis. The strawberry 

 shown by Mr. Manning originated on the farm of B. F. Cutter, Pelham, 

 N. H., it having been found near a bed of good kinds, and it was called by 

 him the " Cutter." It was a large berry, of a light color, regular, conical 

 shape, and sweet, — probably an accidental seedling of some large variety. 

 Mr. M. stated that it was a staminate, very hardy, a strong grower, and 

 very productive. The one exhibited by Mr. Ellis was also a large straw- 

 berry, of light color, and reg"ular, conical shape and pleasant flavor. 



The raising of seedling strawberries is not attended with any difficulty. 

 Seeds of any of the large and good varieties will, in almost every case, 

 produce some new kinds of good quality ; but the mere multiplication of va- 

 rieties is an object of very doubtful utility, and it is thought that the culti- 

 vation of no new kind should be recommended, unless it possesses some val- 

 uable property not appertaining to sorts already in cultivation. 



The " Wilson's Albany," a variety that has been highly commended in 

 many quarters particularly for its productiveness, was exhibited in consid- 

 erable quantity. Those shown were very large berries, of a conical shape, 

 dark colored, and very acid, and did not, on trial, commend themselves for 

 their quality to the Committee. Too little experience has yet been had here 

 with this variety to justify the expression of any very decided opinion with 

 respect to its merits. 



Hooker's Seedling was shown, and was likewise a large, dark colored 

 berry, acid, but high flavored, and, in this particular, was preferred to the 

 Wilson's. 



Peabody's Seedling, also, was exhibited, and though large, and of attrac- 

 tive appearance, was thought to greatly lack richness and flavor. 



The older varieties, as the Brighton and Boston Pine, and Hovey's Seed- 

 ling, seem, so far, to maintain in the opinion of cultivators their wonted su- 

 periority, — at least, judging from the exhibitions made of this fruit. 



In Belmont, where the cultivation of the strawberry receives great atten- 

 tion, it is said that the kinds most depended upon are the Hovey's Seedling, 

 with the Brighton Pine; this last is considered by the growers there to be 

 peculiarly adapted to be a fertilizer for the former, as blossoming at the 

 same season. 



" Walker's Seedling," that may now be considered among the older sorts 



