Strawberries in 1867. 205 



Russell's Prolific. — This is really a prolific variety, the two-year-old 

 plants bearing a large crop without any manure. It is, however, a poor, 

 coarse strawberry, lacking in richness and flavor. I cannot see that it is 

 any better than Downer's Prolific, except in size. 



I have come to the conclusion that Lennig's White and the Orb are 

 worthless, on account of shyness in bearing ; Madame Cologne for the 

 same fault, and for the pastiness and small size of its berries ; and the 

 Wizard for poor growth and inferior quality of fruit. 



River's Eliza bears a few monstrous berries the first year, and next to 

 nothing the second. 



The Green Prolific is a prodigiously vigorous and rather productive kind ; 

 the berries being large, and, when fully ripe, quite sweet and pleasant, 

 although too soft. 



Downer's Prolific is almost as good a bearer as the Wilson, and very 

 much better in quality. 



In common with many other readers, I am much obliged to Mr. Moore 

 for his valuable paper in last month's Journal ; but I venture to think he 

 makes a mistake in not trying to raise strawberries by the Van Mons 

 method. Splendid kinds have been obtained by simply planting the seeds 

 of good varieties. 



Although the varieties of strawberries are like the sands of the sea for 

 number, I firmly believe that no fruit offers so good a chance for experi- 

 ment as this. 



We have not found, and may never find, the perfect berry ; but this should 

 not deter us from seeking for a strawberry as hardy as the native, as pro- 

 ductive as AVilson's, as handsome as La Constante, as rich as the St. Julien, 

 and as high-flavored as Lennig's White, We may not reach the goal ; but 

 we shall undoubtedly win some splendid prizes on the way. 



y. M. Merrick, Jun. 



Wai.polk, Mass. 



