STRAWBERRIES. 19 1 



As a result of much experience, I will now make 

 some suggestions as to varieties. In a former 

 paper I have given the opinions of others upon 

 this important subject, and one can follow the 

 advice of such eminent authorities without mis- 

 giving. The earliest strawberry that I have ever 

 raised, and one of the best flavored, is the Crystal 

 City. It is evidently a wild variety domesticated, 

 and it has the exquisite flavor and perfume of the 

 field berry. It rarely fails to give us fruit in May, 

 and my children, with the unerring taste of con- 

 noisseurs, follow it up until the last berry is picked. 

 It would run all over the garden unchecked ; and 

 this propensity must be severely curbed to render 

 a bed productive. Keeping earliness and high 

 flavor in view, I would next recommend the Black 

 Defiance. It is not remarkably productive on 

 many soils, but the fruit is so delicious that it well 

 deserves a place. The Duchess and Bidwell fol- 

 low in the order of ripening. On my grounds they 

 have always made enormous plants, and yielded an 

 abundance of good-flavored berries. The Down- 

 ing is early to medium in the season of ripening, 

 and should be in every collection. The Indiana is 

 said to resemble this kind, and to be an improve- 

 ment upon it. Miner's Prolific is another kindred 

 berry, and a most excellent one. Among the 



