352 A few words about Strawberries. 



Art. III. A fe\o words about Strawberries. By the Editor. 



Our readers must not infer, from the heading of this article, 

 that we are about to discuss the old strawberry question, now 

 so satisfactorily disposed of Our intention is merely to make 

 a few remarks upon the relative merits of some of the newer 

 kinds, brought to notice the last few years, and to answer the 

 inquiries of several of our friends, who wish to know our 

 opinions in regard to them, and how far they are worthy of 

 general cultivation. 



Out of several of these letters we present only the follow- 

 ing one, from our respected correspondent, Dr. Bayne, of 

 Alexandria, D. C, whose remarks on the cultivation of straw- 

 berries have, from time to time, appeared in our pages, and 

 who is not only an extensive cultivator of this fruit for the 

 Washington market, but the originator of several seedlings. 

 Dr. Bayne writes as follows : — 



My Dear Sir,— In the constant accessions to your hst of 

 strawberries, have you yet procured one which can success- 

 fully compete with Hovey's Seedling? In reply, I think you 

 will concede with me in saying, it stands yet unrivalled. 

 Taking all its qualities into consideration, viz., — size, — pro- 

 ductiveness, — flavor, and beauty, — it must still be retained at 

 the top of the list. 



The Boston Pine has also continued to prove, with me, a 

 very fine and productive variety. Some very eminent culti- 

 vators have asserted that no staminate variety merits a place 

 in any fine collection, except as a fructifier. Notwithstand- 

 ing, I pronounce the Boston Pine much more prolific than 

 many pistillate varieties. In evidence of this position, I have 

 this season counted, upon single 'plants^ sixty and nj)wards of 

 fine, perfect berries^ and they have yielded, at one jyicking, 

 half a pint of splendid fruit to the plant. This extraordinary 

 yield was obtained from a bed highly cultivated, and from 

 plants set out twelve inches asunder, and kept distinct. 



If the Boston Pine only proved here, as it does with you, 

 to be eight or ten days earlier than Hovey's Seedling, I would 

 consider it the most desirable variety yet originated^ at least so 



