Varieties, their Character and Adaptation to Soils. 97 



are types. The latest of these new mammoth berries is the Sharpless, 

 originated by Mr. J. K. Sharpless, of Catawissa, Pa. ; and the life-size 

 engraving of a cluster gives a vivid impression of the great progress made 

 since horticulturists first began to develop the wild F. Virginiana by 

 crossing varieties and by cultivation. 



The most accurate and extended list of varieties with which I am 

 acquainted is to be found in Downing's " Encyclopaedia of Fruits and 

 Fruit Trees of America." It contains the names, with their synonyms, 

 and the descriptions of over 250 kinds, and to this I refer the reader. 



The important question to most minds is not how many varieties 

 exist, but what kinds will give the best returns. If one possesses the 

 deep, rich, moist loam that has been described, almost any good variety 

 will yield a fair return, and the best can be made to give surprising 

 results. For table use and general cultivation, north and south, east and 

 west, I would recommend the Charles Downing, Monarch of the West, Seth 

 Boyden, Kentucky Seedling, Duchess, and Golden Defiance. These 

 varieties are all first-rate in quality, and they have shown a wonderful 

 adaptation to varied soils and climates. They have been before the public 

 a number of years, and have persistently proved their excellence. There- 

 fore, they are worthy of a place in every garden. With these valuable 

 varieties for our chief supply, we can try a score of other desirable kinds, 

 retaining such as prove to be adapted to our taste and soil. 



If our land is heavy, we can add to the above, in Northern latitudes, 

 Triomphe de Gand, Jucunda, President Wilder, Forest Rose, President 

 Lincoln, Sharpless, Pioneer, and Springdale. 



If the soil is light, containing a large proportion of sand and gravel, 

 the Charles Downing, Kentucky Seedling, Monarch of the West, Duchess, 

 Cumberland Triumph, Miner's Prolific, Golden Defiance, and Sharpless 

 will be almost certain to yield a fine supply of large and delicious berries, 

 both North and South. 



Let me here observe that varieties that do well on light soils also 

 thrive equally well and often better on heavy land. But the converse is 

 not true. The Jucunda, for instance, can scarcely be made to exist on 

 light land. In the South, it should be the constant aim to find varieties 

 whose foliage can endure the hot sun. I think that the Sharpless, which 

 is now producing a great sensation as well as mammoth berries, will do 

 well in most Southern localities. It maintained throughout the entire 

 summer the greenest and most vigorous foliage I ever saw. Miner's Pro- 

 lific, Golden Defiance, Early Hudson, and Cumberland Triumph also 

 appear to me peculiarly adapted to Southern cultivation. 

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