346 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



faction afforded us by this visit to his very interesting place, not 

 alone on account of the pleasure it gave the Committee, but for 

 the profit and instruction gained thereb3\ 



Grounds of Warren Heustis & Son, Belmont. 



Our next visit was upon the invitation of Messrs. Warren 

 Heustis & Son ; the especial object being to see the new Belmont 

 Strawberry raised by these gentlemen. The production of a 

 strawberry better than heretofore grown, or even as good as many 

 that can be found in the market, is an object worthy of our best 

 attention. The Belmont is not new to many of us ; but has been 

 on our exhibition tables several years, and has very deservedly 

 attracted our attention and interest. 



The area of the beds on which were growing the plants that we 

 were invited to examine was a little more than 25,000 square feet ; 

 and from these beds there has been sold in plants and fruit about 

 §4,000 worth ; or, separating the items, about $3,000 has been 

 received for plants sold, and for berries from 6900 to $1,000 ; not 

 including a large quantity used for home purposes. 



Messrs. Heustis & Son have received very large orders for plants 

 from parties who have only seen the berries in the market and re- 

 quired no further evidence of their excellence. One of the dealers 

 who has disposed of their crop, in a conversation with the 

 Chairman of the Committee, gave assurance of the great value 

 of this variety ; and spoke especially of its keeping qualities, 

 saying that it remained in good condition much longer than any 

 other that he knew of. It is seldom that one sees a strawberry 

 producing ripe and small green fruit at the same time, as does the 

 Belmont — thus giving evidence of being a remarkably productive 

 variety. Few strawberries possess a combination of so many 

 good qualities as are found in the Belmont ; and, whether for the 

 amateur or the raarketman, it is certainly a ver^' desirable variety. 

 The flavor is good and the substance rich and melting, whether 

 picked and eaten from the vine or used at the tables. 



A good strawljerr3' will always be held in high esteem, for 

 it is a wholesome, health-giving fruit, as well as the earliest in 

 season. The fact that new varieties are constantly coming out is 

 an indication of the rapid progress now making in this important 

 branch of horticulture ; but there will be no mistake in placing the 

 Beluiout high on the list of new varieties, us one of the very best. 



