y8 Straivbcrrics in 1869. 



time, with plants set Sept. 21, 1868, and I have had ample opportunity of 

 observing its behavior in well-established beds in the originator's grounds, 

 both this year and last summer. I think there can be but one opinion of 

 its merits. A cross between the La Constante and Hovey, it retains the 

 beauty of the former, and adds to this the strength of foliage of the latter, 

 and in size surpasses both. Many practical men who grow strawberries 

 for market on a large scale, and who have seen only ihe. fruit of the Presi- 

 dent Wilder, have expressed themselves entirely satisfied with the berrj' 

 itself, but have been at the same time very sceptical about the value of 

 the plant, recollecting the treachery of La Constante, and taking it for 

 granted that any descendants of tliis variety must have poor foliage. But 

 the experience of the last three years has proved beyond a doubt that the 

 foliage of the President Wilder is as strong, as firm, and as healthy as 

 that of any variety grown. The color, size, and flavor of the berry, and 

 the productiveness of the plants (single vines, in hills, one year old, some- 

 times sending up four distinct trusses of fruit), put this new variety in the 

 very foremost rank. 



Trioinphe de Gaud. — This variety maintains this year its reputation as 

 a kind that, raised in rows or hills, and liberally fed, will never fail to bear 

 a good crop. 



The enormous quantity of rain that fell in many places this year injured 

 the looks and flavor of some varieties ; but for large strawberries, this has 

 been a very favorable season. 



I was visited by the rose-bugs in great numbers this year. They at- 

 tacked a bed of strawberries of about one acre and a half, and devoured 

 the leaves to a shocking extent. I picked thirty-seven from one leaf No 

 remedy against their attacks has ever been discovered, so far as I know. 

 Nothing will answer but picking by hand. They eat the leaves of Hovey's 

 in preference to those of Wilson's, which certainly shows good taste. 



July 7, i86g. 



