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THE GENESEE FARMER, 







lortitiiltiirat Dr|avintnit. 



ANNUAL NOTES ON STflAWBEREIES. 



The recurrence of the strawberry season is now an 

 event in the annual history of almost everybody. 

 After a fast of some months from such luxuries, the 

 nnifersal nation seem to rage for strawberries, and 

 the consumption, while good berries can be had for 

 twelve or fifteen cents per quart, is enormous. Even 

 the moderately rich buy berries daily in our market; 

 and to all the j'ich, strawberries are an indispensable 

 article of diet. While they last, Strawberry Parties, 

 Strawberry Festivals and Fairs, are all the rage. 

 For ourselves, we think the case quite justifies the 

 enthusiasm, and hold that all information which helps 

 on the good cause, and aids to make the enjoyment 

 richer and more universal, should be brought out 

 and placed in the hands of the public. Our contri- 

 bution this year seems small; but every little is said 

 to help, so we make a note of it. 



Juue was a very wet month, and had an unfavora- 

 ble effect upon the fertilizing process; consequently, 

 pistillate varieties have, many of them, been inferior, 

 and imperfect in form — but the varieties having per- 

 fect flowers were g,'cnera]ly good. All, however, have 

 been somewhat more acid than common, and less 

 finely flavored than in a drier season. We have 

 heard complaints from several market cultivators of 

 the loss of considerable portions of their crops from 

 this cause. It has been commonly supposed that 

 wet weather was very favorable to a crop; but it 

 has not proved so this time. We are inclined to the 

 opinion, that only when a drouth and great heat oc- 

 cur just at the ripening off of the berries, do straw- 

 berries, under good management, in rows two and a 

 half feet apart, require artificial aid by watering. 

 We may secure more bulk, but it will be at a loss of 

 quality more than enough to balance. Strawberries 

 do not need diluting, but being well fed at the roots, 

 mellow soil and good exposure to the sun will do the 

 rest, in ordinary seasons. 



The exhibition of the Genesee Valley Horticultu- 

 ral Society brought out some splendid dishes and col- 

 lections of strawberries. Some of the foreign sorts 

 shown were superior in size to any of our natives, 

 and a few of those exhibited may be of value, but it 

 is not generally supposed that they are equally profit- 

 able for cultivation. We shall notice some of them 

 as we proceed. There were many of our old varie- 

 ties shown, but they did not seem to change their 

 relative positions much, in regard to size, quality, &c. 

 We shall, therefore, omit notices of some, because 



nothing has transpired to show them better or worse 

 than common. 



We have before urged our objections to all varie- 

 ties having imperfect or pistillate blossoms, and must 

 again say, that as fast as equally good varieties 

 having perfect flowers can be procured, the pistillate 

 sorts should be discarded. We have long held on 

 to one, (Burr's New Pine,) because of its superior 

 flavor, but the experience of this season is decidedly 

 against it. 



Among the varieties requiring notice of us are the 

 following: 



Large Early Scarlet. — We have found nothing 

 yet equal to this for a good, early berry. It haa 

 perfect flowers, grows strongly, bears abundantly, and 

 most uniformly. It is indispensable. 



Boston Pine. — Blossomed profusely, and produced 

 a few fine and early berries; the balance of the crop 

 entirely failed. It never has been reliable with us. 



Burr's New Pine. — Plants looked well in the 

 spring, but have grown feebly, and borne very im- 

 perfect fruit. 



Gushing. — Has borne a very great crop of large 

 berries, which sell well, but are quite deficient in fine 

 flavor. Flowers perfect. A strong grower. 



Crimson Cone. — One of the best for market, d.- 

 though a pistillate variety, and successful only when 

 well fertilized. Its great vigor and handsome color 

 recommend it to the market gardener. 



Genesee. — Is beautiful, very vigorous, productive, 

 and ripens early. Will be good for marketing, but 

 flavor not first rate. Perfect flowers. 



Walker. — Grows moderately, but bears very abun- 

 dantly. Berries all perfect, but of only medium 

 quality. Will not be popular, although it has good 

 points. 



Scott's Seedling. — Rapid grower, perfect flowers, 

 very handsome, long, conical berries, of bright scar- 

 let color, and bears abundantly, but is quite deficient 

 in flavor. Would undoubtedly be profitable for 

 marketing. 



McAvoy's Superior. — This berry, although beau- 

 tiful when in perfection, is worthless for cultivation, 

 because a pistillate variety which it is exceedingly 

 difficult to fertilize. It ought to be discarded. 



Hovey's Seedling. — As usual, very large, very 

 handsome, moderately productive, but not first-rate 

 quality. A pistillate sort. 



Hooker. — This is our pet, and, perhaps, we do not 

 judge it fairly, but we have found it, of all our sorts, 

 the most satisfactory. It is vigorous and productive, 

 berries very large and of the finest quality, the flow- 

 era are perfect, and, in a word, it is adapted to all 

 purposes, both for the amateur, and the gardener 

 who wishes to sell fruit of good quality as well as 

 good appearance. 



Triomphe de Gand. — A most magnificent berry, 

 when well grown. To the amateur, who wishes to 

 secure great size and beauty, this will probably prove 

 an ac(iuisition. Vigorous grower, and hardy. Has 

 perfect blossoms, (as all the foreign sorts have,) and 

 bears moderate crops. 



Trollope's Victoria. — Is also very large, and of 

 fine quality, but has not been as productive with us 

 as the above. 



Le Reine. — Bore indifierently, and was not large. 



Brighton Pine. — The first berries were good, and 

 of good size, but all the rest failed. We do not see 

 much to recommend it. Flowers perfect 



