REPORT 



OF THE 



COMMITTEE ON GARDENS, 



FOR THE YEAR 1887. 



By JOHN G. BARKER, Ciiaiuman. 



It again becomes our duty to present a report of our doings for 

 the past season. The only application for an}- of the premiums was 

 from Warren Heustis & Son, who entered their Market Strawberry 

 Garden, which your Committee, with other invited guests, visited 

 June 25. This garden was three-fourths of an acre in size, half 

 an acre being old beds worked over, and the other one- fourth 

 of an acre being new ground. The leading variety was the Bel- 

 mont. The season was unusually short, the latter part being very 

 hot, so as to bring it to a close quite suddenly, and Mr. Heustis 

 estimates on that account a loss of at least 1000 baskets. As it was 

 there were sold 3687 baskets, and what was used in the family 

 and given away would add at least 300 more, making a total of 

 3987 baskets, or in round numbers 4000 baskets. Those sold 

 brought a very satisf actor}' price. Mr. Heustis considers the 

 past season not a good one for any kind of fruit, and says that 

 strawberries suffered as much as any fruit, and that theirs were 

 never poorer. 



On page 346, Part II, of our Transactions for 1886, will be 

 found a report on Mr. Heustis's grounds, especially on the straw- 

 berries, and our visit this season fully sustains what was then said. 

 For the last three 3'ears Mr. Heustis has grown scarcely any other 

 kind than the Belmont. Last year 3000 Jewells were planted, 

 and there are but few more than that number now, as they have 

 made scarcely any runners, but what they did make are looking 



