Varieties of Strawberries. 281 



Not yet fully tested, but giving remarkable promise. It has seemed 

 to me to be the best of the new early berries. Staminate. 



Beauty. Plant fairly vigorous, leaf crinkled ; truss 4 to 6 inches high ; 

 berry obtusely conical; long, glazed neck; crimson 3 to 6 inches in 

 circumference ; flesh light pink ; flavor excellent ; calyx spreading ; sea- 

 son early ; a very fine and beautiful variety for the amateur and fancy 

 market. It requires petting, and repays it. It makes very few runners. 

 It originated with Mr. E. W. Durand, of Irvington, N. J. Staminate. 



Black Defiance. Plant vigorous, if the soil suits it; foliage dark green, 

 low, bushy ; downy leaf-stalk ; truss low ; 2^ to 4 inches ; berry very dark 

 crimson ; very obtuse conical, often round and irregular ; early ; flesh dark 

 crimson, flavor sprightly, high, and rich ; moderately productive ; calyx 

 spreading ; inclined to stool ; its runners bear fruit in September. It is one 

 of the best varieties originated by Mr. Durand, who has given me the fol- 

 lowing history. " It is a seedling of Boyden's Green Prolific, impregnated 

 by the Triomphe de Gand. The seed was planted in 1860. The berry 

 was exceedingly tart when first red, and was on that account pronounced 

 worthless by competent judges (so considered). Having but limited 

 experience at the time, I threw it aside, but afterward retained five plants 

 to finish a row of trial seedlings. Eventually, it was shown at the exhibi- 

 tion of the N. J. Agricultural Society, and was awarded the first prize as 

 the best new seedling, by such competent judges as A. S. Fuller, Dr. 

 Thurber and Chas. Downing." From that day to this, all lovers of good 

 fruit have indorsed their opinion. It is firm, and can be shipped long 

 distances. Staminate. 



Black Giant. Said to be a decided improvement on the above, and to 

 have the same general characteristics ; but not yet tested by general culti- 

 vation. 



Black Prince. An old and once popular English variety, one of 

 Keen's seedlings, now rarely grown in this country. 



Brilliant. Originated with W. B. Storer, of Akron, Ohio, who 

 describes it as " a large conical berry ; color a dark, glossy red, and deep 

 red all through ; flavor rich. Plant very hardy and prolific." 



British Queen. One of Myatt's seedlings, of which Mr. J. M. 

 Merrick writes : " It is perhaps the most famous berry ever raised 

 in England, where it is a favorite for market." Unfortunately, it 

 does not come to full perfection here, and is not only tender but 

 very capricious in choice of soils. It is the parent of many 

 excellent kinds. The fruit is of the largest size and highest flavor. 

 Staminate. 



36 



