No. 199.] 273 



general -emark ; notwithstanding the soil in and around New Ha- 

 ven is so light and sandy, it appears nevertheless, with suitable tillage, 

 to be well adapted to nearly all the fruits commonly cultivated in our 

 latitude, except apples, which do much better on the higher and 

 heavier soils in the state, especially in the counties of Hartford and 

 Litchfield. Our soil affords very convenient harbor for insects, and 

 if we have apples at all we must generally either take them inhabited 

 or second hand. 



Strawberries. 

 This fruit in ordinary seasons, begins to ripen the last of May and 

 continues about a month. There are about thirty varieties cultivated 

 with us. Nearly every garden has its strawberry bed. The varieties 

 considered the best, are Hovey's seedling and Boston Pine. They 

 are planted on the same bed or near by, but the plants are not allow- 

 ed to intermingle. The Crimson Cone, Chili, Buist's Prize, French 

 Yellow, Willie's Seedling, Bishop's Orange and Jenny's Seedling 

 stand next in merit. The Peruvian, a staminate variety, bears fruit 

 of more uniform size than Hovey's Seedling, but is a shy bearer. 

 Black Prince, good bearer, but lacks flavor ; Methven Scarlet, Ross' 

 PhcEnix, Princess Alice Maude and Prolific Hautbois are about third 

 rate. Aberdeen Beehive, Early Va. Scarlet and some others so far 

 as they have been tried, rank no higher than " good." The Alpines 

 aie also considered of not much value for general cultivation. 



Raspberries. 

 The American or common Red, Franconia and Fastolffare most es- 

 teemed. The Red, White and Yellow Antwerps do not stand our 

 winters unprotected and are but little cultivated. 



Gooseberries 

 Are so liable to mildew with us, that not much attention is paid to 

 their culture ; and yet they may be found in many of our gardens, and 

 in some cases when considerable attention is given, do well. They 

 do not appear so subject to mildew in gardens situated near salt wa- 

 ter, that is, within a few rods. 



Cherries. 

 This fruit does very well in the light soil of New Haven, and comes 

 early into bearing. The trees seldom get winter-killed, yet some- 

 I Assembly, No. 199. j IS 



