STRAWBERRY. 213 



its culture. Its uses are generally known. A certain species 

 of beauty is compared to " Strawberries smothered in cream," 

 a portion of the dessert palatable to all, though the beneficial 

 effects of the fruit is most certain when fresh from the vine, 

 unmixed and unadulterated. The immense number of varie- 

 ties now cultivated renders it rather difficult to select from 

 them a few sorts that will continue the season to the longest 

 possible period. In attempting to do so, however, we give pre- 

 ference to varieties obtained from seed in this country, which 

 resist the vicissitudes of our climate, and give more general 

 satisfaction than any imported variety. Our selection com- 

 prises two seedlings of Pennsylvania origin, one of New York, 

 and one of Massachusetts. 



Early May is a pistillate (female ?) variety. Fruit above 

 medium size ; color bright red ; shape conical ; flavor very 

 rich, with a delightful aroma. Ripened last year on the 14th 

 of May (season two weeks later than usual). This variety re- 

 quires to Have a row of the Hudson strawberry planted with it 

 to produce the very great crops of which it is capable. It will 

 be a general market fruit. 



Hovey's Seedling. This pistillate (female?) variety is now 

 universally cultivated in every part of the United States, and 

 greatly admired. Fruit very large, heart-shaped ; color dark 

 red, when fully ripe ; flavor good, with a fine aroma. Ripened 

 last year about the 22d of May. This variety requires a few 

 of the Hudson, or some other staminate sort to be planted near 

 it, when it produces extraordinary crops. Is a general mar- 

 ket fruit. 



Prize Seedling. One of the finest flavored strawberries in 

 cultivation. A staminate variety, and produces a crop of fruit, 

 when planted alone, of very large size, of a rounded, heart- 

 shaped form. Color dark crimson, when fully ripe, with a pol- 

 ished surface ; seeds prominent. Ripened last year on the 

 20th of May, and continues fully three weeks it bearing ; an 

 unusual length of time with us. 



