316 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



completely covering the ground, with the exception of a few weak 

 kinds, as in the fii'st plot. The difference in productiveness of 

 the spring planted and the July planted was slight, the larger size 

 of the berries on the plants set in July making up for the greater 

 number on the spring plants. Some varieties planted as late as 

 August 5 to 19, were by no means as prolific as the earlier 

 planted, although large berries were produced. All my plants 

 had a moderate covering of pine needles, about an inch in depth, 

 for the winter. Scarcely a plant was injured by the cold. The 

 covering was removed April 5, which was too early, causing 

 the plants to start, and some kinds, which blossomed early, to 

 suffer by the frosts of May 10 and May 15. 



Michel's Early was in bloom May 1, and was the first to ripen, 

 yet it was but a day or two in advance of Haverland, and it is so 

 inferior in size and quality that I shall drop it. Beder Wood is 

 another variety so wonderfully prolific as to be worthless, it being 

 impossible to develop berries of marketable size. Wolverton is 

 too weak in growth, and the berries grow too close to the ground, 

 although of good size and quality. It may be retained by the 

 amateur. I shall drop Martha, Amherst No. 24, and Parker 

 Earle. Haverland has been my best early variety. Bubach 

 maintains its good repute. Such kinds as Sharpless, Belmont, 

 Leader, Edgar Queen, Lovett, and Shuster's Gem, are continued 

 in the rank and file. 



Among the newer kinds, Marshall is facile princeps. It is pro- 

 ductive, vigorous, of largest size, and yet excellent in quality. 

 This is a combination which, in my opinion, cannot be claimed for 

 any other variety. There were some signs of burning of foliage 

 in the season of 1893, but this was not noticed this year. From 

 present appearances the Marshall must be regarded as the most 

 valuable addition to our list which has been made for many years. 



Mary is a recent kind, very vigorous and productive, of the 

 very largest size, and with me the latest of all. So far well, but 

 the quality is not well. Beecher was not productive with me, 

 but it was planted in August and a full crop could not be 

 expected. Timbrell was quite promising and of good quality. Of 

 Dayton and Greenville I do not wish to speak until after another 

 trial. 



Since fruiting, the rows have l)een cleaned of old foliage and 

 any stray offsets ; a dressing of muriate of potash, odorless phos- 

 phate, and nitrate of soda, has been strewed between the rows, and 



