NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



89 



Ilovey's Seedling, of the largest size. 



Early Virginia, of moderate size. 



THE STRAWBERRY. 



The strawberry is the earliest of all fruits gener- 

 ally cultivated in this part of the country, and it is 

 one of the most delicious and wholesome. It is 

 cooling and refreshing, and highly acceptable, as it 

 is in use in the hot season when there is a general 

 scarcity of fruits. It is very juicy, rather acid, and 

 remarkably tender, which admirably adapts it to 

 general use in hot weather. 



This fruit is easily raised. Any good tillage is 

 adapted to its cultivation, but it pays well for high 

 manuring and thorough cultivation. A deep sandy 

 loam., rather moist, yet well drained, that the water 

 may not stand on it in the winter, is the best soil for 

 strawberries. Large crops are raised in this vicinity 

 on light soils, but on such soils a severe drought may 

 greatly reduce the crop. 



The production of the strawberry is large. In some 

 rare cases, the crop has amounted to four thousand 

 quarts to the acre. An average crop is probably less 

 than half this amount, or about fifteen hundred 

 quarts to the acre, selling at twenty to twenty- 

 five cents per box. In some cases the average price 

 of large ben-ies is thirty to thirty-seven cents. 

 The production is so large as to render the crop 

 profitable, whether raised for market or for fam- 

 ily use. 



The Early Virginia strawberry, represented above, 

 is one of the best and most profitable varieties, and 

 for an early kind, it takes the lead in New England. 

 It is hardy, vigorous in growth, an abundant bearer, 

 and the fruit is excellent. 



Hovey's Seedling follows the Early Virginia, in 

 quick succession, and it is distinguished for its 

 large size and productiveness, and the quality is 

 very good. It is a pistillate plant, and requires a 

 staminate variety, or a perfect kind, like the Early 

 Virginia, near it, in order to get a good crop and 

 perfect berries. 



These two are the principal varieties cultivated in 

 this region. Many more are on trial, some of which 

 are very promising. An account of the Black Prince 

 may be seen on page 83. 



The object of this article is to direct more atten- 

 tion to the cultivation of the strawberry, both for 

 market and for home consumption, where the wild 

 strawberry does not abound. One square rod in the 

 garden will generally yield ten quarts. A friend 

 informed me that he had a good supply for his 

 family, of twenty quarts, from a bed twenty by 

 twelve feet. What ft delicious luxury at a small 

 expense ! 



GOLDEN RUSSET AND RED RUSSET- 



Mr. Thomas O. Jackson, of Plymouth, has sent us 

 some American Golden Russet apples, and he in- 

 quires whether they are the same as the Red Russet. 

 We reply, that the Golden Russet is a small fruit, in 

 use late in winter and early in spring. The flesh is 

 remarkably tender, and it is of the highest character 

 as to quality. A moderate grown, and good bearer. 

 The Red Russet is as large as the Baldwin ; in use 

 in spring, the color mostly bright red, with much 

 russet. Flesh firm, but pleasant, and very good. 

 We know but little of this, as it is new ; we only had 

 a few before this season, and now they, are too hard 

 for use. We find it a great grower, and it is called 

 a good bearer. We think that it is a cross between 

 the Baldwin and Roxbury Russet. We should pre- 

 fer the Golden Russet for the private garden, as a 

 table fruit ; but the Red Russet will probably be the 

 most profitable for the market, the fruit being much 

 larger, keeping rather longer, and the tree a greater 

 grower. As we know but little about it, we would 

 recommend it for trial only. 



APPLES FROM NEWBURGH, N. Y. 



By the politeness of Charles Downing, Esq., of 

 Newburgh, we received, early in the winter, a box 

 of several varieties of excellent apples ; and as some 

 of them were late, we have delayed noticing them 

 until the greater part have come to perfection. !Mr. 

 Downing is extensively known as a very intelligent 

 nurseryman and fruit grower. 



