MALL FRUITS. 49 



for their tables the refinement of culture they claim to ex- 

 ercise in that of literature and art, and they would no 

 longer grow such varieties as Jucunda, Napoleon III, etc.. 

 which are perhaps valuable in localities for the commer- 

 cial grower, and for sale, to those who have no concep- 

 tion of value, except it be represented outwardly to view. 



With these prefatory remarks, I proceed to describe 

 two or three varieties of the class of Hautbois strawberries, 

 with a hope, knowing the satisfaction it will give, that 

 they may be more generally grown 



Of the old varieties, none deserve higher credit or more 

 universal cultivation than the Prolific Hautbois a variety 

 that although long known by those whose attention has 

 been drawn to the subject, to the masses is yet a compar- 

 atively new sort. The vines are very strong, vigorous 

 growers, sending up their long fruit-stalks nearly level 

 with and generally above the leaf foliage, and producing 

 fruit in abundance, of full medium size, conical in shape, 

 of very dark, almost blackish red, when ripe moderately 

 firm-fleshed, juicy, sweet and of a peculiarly high, arom- 

 atic, pineapple flavor, never to be once eaten but to be 

 again desired. 



The Royal Hautbois is another and perhaps improved 

 variety of the above. I have only known it a year or two, 

 and never believe in commending until I have a good fair 

 chance of being able to sustain my comments. So far as 

 I have practical knowledge, however, this variety is desi- 

 rable. The fruit is medium to large, roundish, obtuse, 

 conical, with a whitish, rich, sweet flesh. 



The foregoing, Hautbois^ are unpopular because not 



