150 BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. [Jan. 



with perhaps the exception of the Wilson, has proved profit- 

 able or desirable over a wide extent of territory. The 

 exhibitions rarely show the same varieties as successful prize 

 takers in different localities, and even upon adjoining farms, 

 owing to a difference of location or soil, or both. A variety 

 may prove a success in one case and a failure in the other. 

 Those growing for home consumption would naturally select 

 those of the best quality, though as a rule they are not the 

 most productive ; among those of high rank in quality may be 

 named the La Constante, the Wilder, the Hervey Davis and 

 the Jucunda, With the growers for market the tendency 

 has been towards size rather than quality ; few buyers know 

 the difierent varieties even by name, and the consumers in 

 making their selections are governed by the eye, and as the 

 larger fruit is more attractive it sells first and brings the 

 highest price. Among the large growers at the present 

 time in this State the favorite varieties are the Sharpless, the 

 Belmont and the Jewell ; these are all of large size, fiiir 

 quality, and when well grown sell the most readily and 

 bring the highest prices. They are all comparatively late 

 varieties, and the growers are anxiously awaiting the intro- 

 duction of an early variety that shall equal the above in size 

 and quality. 



If but a single variety is grown, one having perfect flowers 

 must be selected. If the pistilate varieties are grown, every 

 fourth or fifth row should be a staminate. The influence of 

 the staminate upon pistilate varieties is now receiving much 

 attention, especially in the Western States, where it is claimed 

 that the influence is not only shown in the seed, but in the 

 size, form, color and flavor of the fruit. If this theory 

 prove correct, the selection of staminate varieties becomes a 

 matter of the first importance. 



The strawberry is less liable to injury from disease or 

 insect pests than most of our fruits. A few varieties, among 

 them the Charles Downing, are liable to leaf blight or rust, 

 which makes its appearance before the fruit ripens, and 

 severely injures the crop. The Mdolontha vulgaris, a large 

 white grub found to some extent in most soils, but more 

 abundant where heavy dressings of stable manure have been 

 applied, requires watching in new beds. He is sluggish in 



