98 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



Of all the small fruits, the strawberry lends itself most readily 

 to the rapid increase of varieties and catalogs are overburdened 

 with long lists of kinds described and often illustrated in such glow- 

 ing words and colors that the novice in despair would fain swallow 

 the whole list, did space permit. The multiplicity of varieties is 

 apparent on every hand. Fletcher, in his recent work on " North 

 American Varieties of Strawberries" lists nearly 1900 variety names 

 and some of our largest small-fruit nurserymen in their 1916 

 catalogs offer to supply growers with their choice from over 80 

 different kinds. 



Manifestly, it is impossible for growers to test all varieties claim- 

 ing attention. What then, are the guideposts to indicate the" route 

 to travel in making an intelligent selection? First, the purpose in 

 view must be clear cut; whether for home or for commercial use; 

 for canning factory or for local or more remote markets; the 

 requirements of each market must be understood and the varieties 

 selected should most nearly fit such requirements. Second, we 

 must have, in the determination of varieties to grow, some knowl- 

 edge of the comparative habits of both plant and fruit and should 

 keep in mind some idea of the qualifications which go to make up an 

 ideal variety. To be sure, no variety is perfect and the kinds grown 

 are characterized by imperfections as well as by perfections. 

 Doubtless no two growers would fully agree on all the qualifications 

 which must be considered in the ideal strawberry because of differ- 

 ent points of view and because of personal notions and tastes. 

 Most of us, however, can fully agree on the most important factors 

 which must be present in considering the ideal variety. 



Plants of the ideal variety must of course be true to name. All 

 are agreed on this, yet many a plant has fallen from grace on this 

 one point alone. They should be possessed of reasonable health, 

 vigor, and sturdiness, with no hint of weakness or lack of vitality, 

 should multiply to such an extent as to fill all the space allotted, 

 leaving no bare spots, yet should not encroach one upon another 

 so as to become too crowded, and should mature their fruit at the 

 time desired and in abundance. The flowers should preferably be 

 perfect, although we have some excellent imperfect-flowering kinds, 

 should not open too early in exposed localities, and should be well 

 supplied with an abundance of pollen so that under favorable 



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