1 88 Notes and Gleanings. 



Strawberries for Family Use. — Some half a dozen years ago, a party, 

 all lovers of good fruit, made a visit to the nurseries of Parsons & Co., when 

 strawberries were ripe, in order to learn from their experience and our observa- 

 tion what variety was really good and reliable for family-use. They had beds 

 of about forty varieties in bearing, — the best they could select at that time. It 

 was the opinion of the firm then that Cutter's Seedling was preferable to all 

 others ; and they remarked, that, when they picked for their private use, the Cut- 

 ter's Seedling was selected. We procured plants, and have disseminated them 

 to several neighbors since ; and it is their united opinion, that, of the many new 

 and old varieties tried here, Cutter's Seedling gives the most satisfaction. They 

 are too soft for carriage, but all the better for table-use ; bear a long time ; are 

 very hardy and thrifty ; fruit-stems strong and erect, keeping the berries from 

 the ground. The plant can be procured at low rates. /. H. 



{Remarks. — We have been familiar with the variety named for several years, 

 and we do not regard it as a valuable one, and should not certainly recommend 

 it for market-purposes ; and there are many other varieties far superior to it for 

 family-use. It is possible that it may do better with our friend than any other 

 that he has grown ; and that leads him to speak well of it. It is not large, of a 

 rather light color, soft, and of quite ordinary flavor. It has been discarded by 

 all the growers about Boston, where it was quite extensively planted several 

 years ago. — Eds.'\ 



Axioms in Melon-Culture. — Varieties. — First, To have the greatest 

 success in growing the nutmeg-melon, you must have deeply-loosened, warm, 

 dry soil. Nothing that grows, enjoys and flourishes more under the above- 

 named condition of things. It is of more importance than the particular kind 

 of soil. It is vastly better than tnanure; for the sweetest and best melons are 

 not grown in the richest soil. 



Second, Don't be in such a hurry to plant that you thrust the seed into cold, 

 wet ground, from whence they never have resurrection. On the other hand, 

 don't delay planting a moment after you have the conditions of a " deeply- 

 loosened, warm," and moderately-dry soil. 



Third, Plant wide apart, say rows eight feet, and five feet in the row ; and 

 ^\x\. plenty of seed in the hill, twelve to fifteen. This is to provide for the higs. 

 They will take some, and you can't help yourself. When all danger from insect 

 enemies is past, thin to three plants in a hill. 



Fourth, Cultivate shallow and thoroughly. It is to your shame and loss if 

 weeds are allowed to grow at all. 



Varieties. — The following are the varieties with which we have had expe- 

 rience the past season : Skill/nan^s Fine Netted. — Small melon ; good early 

 sort. White Japan. — Small, early, thin skin ; good family sort. Persian. — Late 

 variety ; large, very fine, and worthy of more general culture. Minorca. — There 

 is nothing like it for size. It is a perfect whale in its way. We cannot particu- 

 larly recommend it for quality. The Alton Large Nutmeg is a moderately large 

 green-fleshed melon ; thick, melting, sugary, and highly perfumed. It is by far 

 and in every respect the best melon grown in this Western country. 



O. L. Barlcr. 



