STRAWBERRIES FOR THE HQME 1 53 



far as to annoy the purchaser, who finds he 

 has bought something with the texture and 

 consistency of a Russet apple or a slightly 

 modified piece of cork. It has been very 

 truly pointed out that all these considerations 

 may be ignored in selecting varieties for 

 home use where quality is the first object. 

 The more delicate the texture the better, 

 if only the berries, when thoroughly ripened 

 through and through, will not crush by care- 

 ful packing and gentle carriage to the house. 

 Mr. James Wood of New York, a man of much 

 experience, has ably expressed this feeling, 

 and makes the following recommendations, 

 which will help the home gardener: 



*'The points to be considered in valuing a 

 home berry are wealthfulness and vigour in 

 the plant, beauty of form and colour, creami- 

 ness of texture, and agreeable flavour. I do 

 not name productiveness because great pro- 

 ductiveness is not usually accompanied by 

 high quality. Where the ground in the 

 home garden available for strawberries is 

 very small, it may be advisable to seek a 

 variety that will give a large crop from a 

 small area. 



"Good form is important, as it is very 



