STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 101 



ten acres in good condition. The past season the crop was nearly 

 a failure and high prices were the result. The culture of strawbeiTies 

 for the future has a more promising look, and thousands of plants 

 will be set during the coming spring if they can be obtained. I 

 have given more attention to the strawberry in this article, not that 

 I understand their culture any better than many of the others, but I 

 have grown them more largely, and consider them the most impor- 

 tant small fruit we grow, the one most certain to succeed in our 

 climate. Commission men and freight handlers on nearly all of the 

 transportation lines tells us that in the amount shipped, strawberries 

 head the list, with grapes second. And, now, if any one desires to 

 make a start in this direction my advice is to select those varieties 

 best suited for your purpose. As a general rule those sorts best 

 suited for market or for profit are not usually of the finest quality. 

 Bear in mind there is always some leader in its class, some variety 

 that gives general satisfaction, the Wilson among strawberries, the 

 Concord among grapes, the Red Dutch currant, etc. Many varieties 

 that succeed well in other sections of the country, are worthless 

 here in our own. Small fruits require as much pruning and trimming 

 and as much care as do our apple and pear trees. In closing I 

 quote the following extract from the work of the late Rev. E. P. 

 Roe, the eminent author who was largely interested in their culture : 

 "Small fruits pay many people well, unless location, soil and climate 

 are hopelessly against one. The degree of profit will depend chiefly 

 on his skill, judgment and iudustry. The raising of small fruits are 

 like other callings in which some are getting rich, more earning a 

 fair livelihood, and not a few failing. It is business in which there 

 is a sharp, keen competition, and ignorance, poor judgment and 

 shiftless, idle ways will be as fatal as in the workshop, store or 

 other industries." 



