36 ^lASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



more valuable than Hovey'a Seedling, that was introduced twenty-five or 

 thirty years ago. If it receives the peculiar treatment it requires, no variety 

 gives better results. 



La Constante is receiving more attention every year, from the best growers, 

 and is, under favorable circumstances, a very fine variety. Magnificent 

 specimens of this variety have been shown this year on our tables. 



Messrs. Hovey & Co. still take the lead in strawberries, both in number of 

 varieties cultivated, and in quantity and quality of fruit. 



On a visit to their grounds when the fruit was ripe, we were very much 

 pleased with the strawberry plantation. We tested some thirty varieties of 

 this fruit at the house of the President of the Society, and became fully 

 satisfied, that an abundance of good strawberries can be grown by a little 

 pains-taking in the preparation of the soil, the selection of varieties, and 

 proper subsequent treatment of the beds. 



These gentlemen deserved, and have taken, the largest premiums offered 

 for this fruit the past season. 



Fruit of the new variety known as the Agriculturist was exhibited on our 

 tables. Not being from well-established vines, it was smaller than we 

 expected to see, and diflfered in shape from the drawings sent out; being 

 longer and more pointed. It has a long neck, and will hull easily. We need 

 further time to determine the value of this new variety for this vicinity. 



Russell's Prolific, Buffalo Seedling and French Seedling were also shown. 

 Some goad judges insist that the two first named are identical, but we think 

 not. The fruit, to be valuable, must improve so as to get rid of that wrinkled 

 cppearance it now presents. The last of the three named is a light, red berry, 

 Bofi, and lacking in flavor. 



Triomphe de Gand is still the best variety for forcing, and when well 

 managed out doors gives a good crop of excellent fruit. 



The older sorts have been exhibited to considerable extent by several 

 growers ; enough to convince us all, that satisfactory results can be obtained, 

 if we will but make the effort to secure an abundance of this very healthful 

 and delicious fruit. 



CHERRIES. 

 Years ago this fruit was cultivated extensively and profitably about Boston, 

 but so difficult has its culture now become that no fruit-grower would for a 

 moment entertain the thought of setting a cherry-orchard. In addition to all 

 the other obstacles in the way, we have that great pilferer, the robin, to 

 contend with, who appropriates nearly or quite all the fruit, as soon as it 

 approaches maturity ; so that in many gardens it has been impossible to secure 

 a single ripe cherry, unless it had been protected by nets, or in some other 

 way. We may safely predict, however, that, with the hardy varieties of 

 cherries, we shall again see fair results, if we can be secure against the 

 depredations of the birds. 



