280 Success with Small Fruits, 



Agriculturist. Originated with the late Mr. Seth Boyden, of Newark, 

 N. J. Through the courtesy of an old friend of Mr. Boyden, I am able to 

 give his description of his own berry, copied from his diary by a member 

 of his family : 



" No. 10. Name, Agriculturist. A cross between No. 5 and Peabody's 

 Georgia; a hardy, tall grower, with much foliage and few runners; berries very 

 large, broad shoulders, slightly necked, often flat, and some coxcombed or double, 

 high crimson color to the centre ; very firm, and high-flavored. A staminate variety." 



(No. 5 is the Green Prolific.) The Agriculturist was once very pop- 

 ular, and is still raised quite largely in some localities, but is fast giving 

 way to new varieties. It is peculiarly adapted to light soils, but on my 

 place has scalded and "dampened off" badly. It seemingly has had its 

 day. 



Boyden 's No. 30 (Setk Boyden). I again let Mr. Boyden describe his 

 own seedling : 



" Plant above medium size ; round leaf, deep green ; bears the summer heat 

 well ; berries necked, rather long, large ; abundance of seed ; dark red ; has buds, 

 blossoms and ripe berries on the same peduncle ; is of the Agriculturist family, and 

 an eccentric plant. Perfect flower." 



From the reference above, I gather that No. 5, or Green Prolific, is one 

 of the parents of this famous berry. Mr. Boyden speaks of some of his 

 other seedlings more favorably than of this another instance of the truth 

 that men do not always form the most correct judgments of their own 

 children. " No. 30 " will perpetuate Mr. Boyden's name through many 

 coming years, and all who have eaten this superb berry have reason to 

 bless his memory. No. 5 and No. 10 are rapidly disappearing from our 

 gardens. The Boyden (as it should be named) is one of the largest and 

 sweetest berries in cultivation too sweet for my taste. It responds nobly 

 to high culture, but it is impatient of neglect and light, dry soils. It is 

 one of the best market berries, and although not hard, is firm and dry, and 

 thus is well adapted for shipping. It is one of the few fancy berries 

 that will endure long transportation by rail. As I have stated, Mr. Jerole- 

 mon has raised 327 bushels of this variety on an acre, and received for the 

 same $1,386. Give it moist soil and cut the runners. A fine portrait 

 of the fruit may be seen on page 63. 



Bidwell. Foliage light green, plant very vigorous; truss 3 to 5 inches 

 high ; berry very conical, bright scarlet, with a neck highly glazed, glossy; 

 flesh firm, pink ; calyx close ; season very early. 



