REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 303 



use. Every department was in excellent condition, and we regret 

 that the darkness of the evening coming on prevented our making 

 a more thorough examination of the excellent arrangements for 

 growing winter vegetables so successfully used by these gentle- 

 men ; but we hope in the near future to be able to give more in 

 detail such facts as will be of -interest to the Society. 



Market Strawberry Garden of Samuel Barnard. 

 In our previous reports we have called attention to the straw- 

 berry gardens of Warren Heustis & Son and Samuel Barnard, both 

 at Belmont. This season the Committee were again invited to 

 examine a bed of the Jewell strawberry at Mr. Barnard's, and it 

 is with an unusual degree of satisfaction that we can report that 

 this bed was a very superior one in every way, and that Mr. 

 Barnard continues rightfully to enjoy his well-earned reputation as 

 a leading cultivator of the strawberry. The Jewell has been 

 awarded a Silver Medal by the Society, and it is a satisfaction to 

 be able to note that it still proves worth}- of the award. It has 

 always been spoken of in the highest terms, and is considered one 

 of the most productive large strawberries ever introduced. It 

 is a fine grower, and has never shown any signs of rust or blight. 

 The berries are large, bright red, changing to crimson when very 

 ripe, firm and of good quality. It is said to be a seedling of the 

 JerscN' Queen. 



A^iATEUR Strawberry Garden of Benjamin M. Smith, Beverly. 

 This was visited June 21. The one variety demanding our 

 special attention was the new seedling Beverly. For information 

 in regard to it we refer you to the report of the Fruit Committee 

 of this year, and for the mode of cultivation and management of 

 Mr. Smith's garden, to his statement, which is appended. This 

 is the first application that we have had to visit an amateur 

 strawberry garden, and we sincerely hope that others will follow. 



Letter of Benjamin M. Smith. 



Beverly, Nov. 18, 1890. 

 Mr. .John G. Barker, Chairman Committee on Gardens: — 



Dear Sir, — Your letter of the 11th instant, requesting me to 

 write you my experience in growing strawberries, and also about 

 the new seedling, Beverly, I have received. My first experience was 



