46 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



The crop of strawberries this year was very fine, except in a few instan- 

 ces where the vines blasted. The Brighton Pine blasted badly in some 

 localities. The show of this fruit at the rooms of the Society during the 

 season was very fine. Most of the old sorts and some new ones have been 

 exhibited. Hovey's Seedling still maintains its high reputation, both as a 

 market fruit and for amateur cultivation. No variety perhaps is more pro- 

 fitable when properly cultivated. The Jenny Lind has appeared well from 

 year to year, and is a favorite variety to grow with the Hovey's Seedling 

 or separately ; though not of the highest quality, yet very desirable on 

 account of its size and earliness. 



Brighton Pine has done well in most cases, though it has blasted more 

 than most other sorts. It is a fruit of good size, firm, good color and flavor. 

 A desirable sort. 



Scott's Seedling is not considered worthy of general cultivation. 



Lady of the Lake, is a seedling from the Brighton Pine. Large, and 

 said to be very productive, yet is coarse in appearance and texture, and of 

 second quality. Does not seem to be desirable. 



Cutter's Seedling is a comparatively new sort, of fair quality, medium 

 size, color similar to Jenny Lind. Its value will depend upon its hardiness 

 and productiveness. Though it has not been fully tested, yet it seems to 

 show good qualities. 



A strawberry shown by Messrs. Bunce & Co. was new to the Committee. 

 It was of medium size, color rather light, fine texture, not very firm, flavor 

 good, lacks spirit somewhat. Worthy of a further trial. 



Hooker. — Color dark red, like Wilson's Albany, though more glossy ; 

 good size, acid, and of high flavor ; not always hardy. It does not seem to 

 be a desirable sort for this region. 



Wilson's Albany — Is of a dark, dull, dirty color ; good size, very produc- 

 tive, but very acid and of poor quality ; unworthy of general cultivation. 



La Constance. — This is a new French variety exhibited for the first time 

 this season, by Hovey & Co. Fruit very large, color of Hovey's Seedling, 

 of regular conical form, quite firm, flavor good, great bearer, and may prove 

 a valuable variety for amateurs. 



Wonderful. — A new English variety, large size, coxcomb shape, dark 

 color, firm, flavor good ; said to be very productive. 



May (^ueen. — Same origin as the last ; small, early, flavor fair ; same 

 season as Jenny Lind ; not desirable. 



BonU de St. Julien. — A foreign sort. Fruit large, color rich crimson, 

 coxcomb shape, flavor peculiar, great bearer. 



Duke de Malakojf. — Large size, color dark, flavor decidedly poor, not 

 worthy of cultivation. 



Lrt Btlle Bordelaise. — A French variety of strong Hautbois flavor, highly 

 esteemed by some and as strongly disliked by others ; very productive. 

 To amateurs who are fond of a strawberry of this flavor, it is of value. 

 None of the foreign sorts rank high when compared with the best Ameri- 

 can varieties, and are not desirable for gene.al cultivation. Experience 



