•j^ Strawberries in 1869, 



STRAWBERRIES IN 1869. 



By J. M. Merrick, Jun., Walpole, Mass. 



The following is a statement of the behavior of several varieties of 

 strawberries with myself, this season. 



These results have been obtained from experiments on a small scale ; 

 the beds of varieties fruited containing only a few hundred or a few dozen 

 plants, as the case might be. 



Ambrosia. — This is a strong-growing kind, but a very moderate bearer. 

 The fruit is a truncated cone, medium size, dark red, sweet, and pretty 

 good. 



Alice Maude. — I have not fruited this ; but I notice that the leaves of 

 my plants burn considerably. 



Agricultunst. — This variety seems to have done wonders in various 

 localities this season. In quality it is the same as ever ; i.e., not above 

 second rate. 



Admiral Diindas. — All the blossoms proved failures this season. I did 

 not get one berry. 



Brooklyn Scarlet. — For home-use this is a decent berry. The plants 

 usually bear one or two immense berries which ripen early, and a multi- 

 tude of small ones which ripen late. The flavor is excellent ; but the 

 berries will hardly keep over night. 



Bijou. — This seedling of De Jonghe's has borne a moderate crop of 

 rather handsome, sweet berries. It is a very dwarf grower, and rather 

 early. 



Downer's Prolific. — A bed of this variety, in a poor, sandy soil, unma- 

 nured, and, in fact, untouched for three years, bore this season a very good 

 crop of medium-sized fruit. The berries are rather acid, but have a good 

 flavor, and the vines are very productive. 



E}7ima. — If I have the true Emma, I must say that I never saw a more 

 wretched strawberry. It is vigorous and moderately productive, but com- 

 pletely devoid of all flavor or taste. To eat a berry is like taking a mouth- 

 ful of flour-paste. 



Exposition de Chalons. — I have kept this berry three or four years for 



