64 SELECTION OF VARIETIES. 



fruit very large, often over five inclies in circiimference, 

 ricli dark color until over-ripe; irregular, conical, 

 roundish ; large seeds, slightly sunk ; flesh crimson and 

 white, tender, juicy, with a core of rather open and 

 coarse texture. 



Eipens medium season, and rather too tender for a 

 market fruit, except for short carriage distance. 



HOVEY'S SEEDLING. 



This has been truly called a noble fruit, and is an 

 honor to the originator, Mr. C. M. Hovey, of Boston. 

 It has undoubtedly taken more prizes in the various 

 Horticultural Exhibitions of our country, from Maine 

 to Louisiana, than any other variety, and it retains the 

 same position at the present time, although it is not 

 equal in flavor to Burr's New Pine and others, or of 

 the average size of McAvoy's Superior and some other 

 varieties ; and in almost every quarter, we hear more 

 or less complaints of its fickleness in bearing, mingled 

 with the strongest approvals of its productiveness. 



Notwithstanding all murmurs, its flavor is good 

 when well ripened ; it is too often picked and tasted 

 when first colored and unripe ; and some of its berries 

 so surpass all other varieties in size — often five and 

 six and sometimes over eight inches in circumference — 

 as to carry along the judges at our exhibitions ; and the 

 size under good cultivation always proves satisfactory. 



