ABOUT MAKING GARDENS TCI 



we seemed about to settle down permanently on 

 Brandywine. 



In my judgment, at present, the best all-around 

 strawberry is William Belt, although it has two or 

 three close rivals in Cardinal, Glen Mary, and some 

 of Thompson's seedlings. It is not quite a new 

 berry, but has stood a thorough test for fully ten 

 years, everywhere and under all conditions, and has 

 proved able to give big crops of delicious fruit. 

 Sample is another good and reliable sort for general 

 culture, and so is Chesapeake, and for a just-right 

 year Haverland is a wonder only it is not good 

 for a very dry or a very wet year. It lays whole 

 handfuls of strawberries down on the ground, so 

 many and so big that the stems cannot hold them up ; 

 mulch underneath is needed. 



If you will give it hill culture and very rich soil, 

 Marshall will astonish you for size, and its quality is 

 rarely equaled. In Florida I found Lady Thomp- 

 son to be a deserved favorite, but still better was 

 the old Bubach No. 5 a really reliable berry that 

 has been tested for twenty years. William Belt, 

 however, will stand neglect or even abuse, and still 

 give lots of big, rich berries, as if it really enjoyed 

 your amazement when you walk along the rows or 

 lift the leaves. It will fight its way with weeds and 

 grass, and still give a crop. This is my choice, ex- 

 cept possibly one or two of my own seedlings. 



However, do not think that laziness and straw- 

 berries can ever harmonize. Keep the dirt stirred 



