A fev) words about Strawberries. 355 



the prizes? Why do they not appear at our horticultural 

 exhibitions? Why are they not seen in our markets? This 

 is what puzzles the amateur cultivator. He is desirous of 

 adding all the fine sorts to his collection, and when he sees 

 a flaming advertisement, or an editorial notice, setting forth 

 a variety as surpassing Hovey's Seedling, he is willing to 

 purchase a few plants at any price ; but all — every one of 

 them — have proved a failure; and, fearful of the same disap- 

 pointment again, the numerous inquiries, similar to Dr. 

 Bayne's, are made of us, as to what are real acquisitions to 

 our list of strawberries. 



The remarks already made, are our best reply. We, at 

 least, know of no two varieties which will at all equal the 

 Seedling and the Boston Pine. Four years ago, (Vol. XI, 

 p. 294,) we stated this, and we have seen no occasion to alter 

 our opinion. Others there are which are good — but we take 

 it that this is not what the cultivator will be satisfied with. 

 In a fruit like the strawberry, those kinds combining the 

 merits of all others, are only wanted — and any thing less 

 than this would be comparatively worthless. 



In our remarks, we do not, of course, intend to include 

 seedlings not yet brought to notice, of which there are thou- 

 sands, and among them, perhaps, some which may prove 

 better than any thing yet known; — it is only of kinds al- 

 ready in cultivation, that we refer to. 



It has been stated, that no new variety of fruit should be 

 introduced to cultivation, which does not possess some owe or 

 more qualities over those of the same kind, already known. 

 This is perfectly true, and is just the principle we have 

 adopted in the growth of any new fruit or flower. Let this 

 test always be adopted, and then our catalogues will contain 

 a far less number of comparatively worthless sorts. 



But the question is, who is to be the judge of the qualities 

 of a new seedling; it may be said, the producer is not, for he 

 will be prejudiced in its favor. This we admit in most in- 

 stances, for we have seen too many inferior productions 

 palmed off as the best of their kind. An individual names a 

 seedling strawberry, and without, perhaps, ever having had 

 the true Hovey's Seedling, or seen it under good cultivation, 

 he at once assumes that it is superior to that variety. But 



