1862. 



KEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



197 



portance of raising new kinds was alluded to ; 

 though some cultivators cling to the old sorts ; 

 yet we should be careful in introducing new vari- 

 eties. The late kinds were the most profitable, as 

 the New York strawberries were in our market in 

 early summer. Wilson's Alhawj was much culti- 

 vated, but though large and plentiful, it was de- 

 cidedly sour. La Constante was a large and very 

 superior variety. Only a few and the best should 

 be cultivated. 



Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, being called 

 upon, remarked that he M'ould gladly confirm 

 what the chairman had said. Strawberries should 

 be planted in the spring ; the plants should be 

 strong, the ground well prepared, and receive 

 careful subsequent treatment. The second year 

 they will bear great crops ; then break up the bed 

 and replant. This is Avhat is called the annual or 

 Belmont system. Mr. W. also alluded to Hovey's 

 Seedling. Its production introduced a new era in 

 strawberry culture. It yielded the largest crop of 

 any sent to our market, and must be regarded as 

 a standard variety. All honor to Mr. Hovey. 

 The importance of the discovery of the sexes of 

 plants was referred to, and Mr. Knights' efforts at 

 hybridization in the production of new varieties 

 of fruit was extolled. This is to be the true 

 source of new fi-uits, but let us still sow seed from 

 natural hybridization. Pistillate flowers must 

 have staminate flowers for their impregnation, 

 though generally both are united in one. 



The speaker, in answering an inquiry regarding 

 Mr. Rodgers' hybrid grapes, said these are new 

 varieties raised by artificial crossing of the Black 

 Hamburg and the Sioeetwater upon the wild 

 grape, ( Vitis labnisca,) of our woods. About thir- 

 ty varieties were produced, and while some are of 

 great promise, it is too early to speak distinctly of 

 them. This countiy, Mr. W. thought, was des- 

 tined to become a great grape-producing and 

 wine-producing part of the globe. As our grapes 

 do not -do well in California, nor theirs here, 

 seedlings become more important. The Concord 

 is a hardy grape, better farther south, but good 

 enough here. The Delaware is a small grape, 

 not very pleasing in appearance, but of a higher 

 character than the Concord. The Hartford Pro- 

 lific is doing well, and did not seem to fall from 

 the vines the last year. We need hardy grapes, 

 and we may yet raise some better than the Con- 

 cord. A hardy and earhj grape is a great des- 

 ideratum. 



But, Mr. Wilder said, he would turn from this 

 subject to another, different in its nature, but not 

 less pleasing to dwell upon. There is a gentle- 

 man among us, who has attended these meetings 

 a long time, and participated in these discussions, 

 himself a thorough, practical farmer, and who 

 said, the other evening, "he would give more for 



one day's experience than a whole year's guess- 

 ing," of whom he wished to speak. He referred 

 to Mr. A. G. Sheldon, of Wilmington. He pro- 

 poses to publish a small book, embracing his auto- 

 biography, and all the various subjects of practi- 

 cal farming in his experience. Mr. W. warmly 

 commended the project, and said the work could 

 be subscribed for after the meeting, at 50 to 75 

 cents in cloth, or $1,00 or $1,25 in calf. 



Mr. AVetherell endorsed Mr. Wilder, and 

 hoped the work would be encouraged. 



Mr. HovEY also warmly favored it. We should 

 have books that are books — not shadows. A book 

 at hand of experiences is important. 



Inquiry being made as to whether tlie High 

 Bush Blaclchcrry was injurious to the soil or not, 

 by any poisonous exudations from its roots, the 

 chairman replied that he did not know of any such 

 effect. It was hardy, and occupied the ground 

 rapidly ; but the suckers should be cut up, and 

 the best canes tied to a stake. It was an impor- 

 tant fruit, and he had rather do without the rasp- 

 berry than the blackberry, as it was late. He 

 spoke of the Dorchester, and thought, also, that 

 the Lawton was a valuable acquisition. The for- 

 mer, he believed, would pay as a market fniit. 



Inquiry being made as to whether the HucJde- 

 herry had been cultivated, Mr. AYilder observed 

 that he had received seed of a large kind, grow- 

 ing in Washington Ten-itory, five or six feet in 

 height, which he thought would be valuable in our 

 gardens. 



Inquiiy being also made as to the Cranberry, 

 the chairman spoke of Sir Joseph Banks raising 

 it upon high land. Mr. H. thought it Avorthy of 

 the cultivator's attention ; and as he had seen 

 some very large ones from Pawtucket, R. I., he 

 thought of procuring the seed, and trying his hand 

 at seedling cranberries. 



Mr. Beckwith said he had seen some very 

 large cranberries growing in a gentleman's garden 

 on dry soil, the vines being taken from a pasture 

 of a gravelly nature, where they had been grow- 

 ing for years. 



Mr. Wilder spoke of the Dorchester and Law- 

 ton Blackberries. They are both hardy, but the 

 latter is not eatable till very ripe, yet is a little 

 larger than the former. The Dorchester Avas found 

 in the lower part of his town some years ago, and 

 he likes it best. 



Mr. Hovey said the Dorchester would give the 

 best satisfaction, but if he could get the Lawton 

 fully ripe, he preferred it. 



Mr. Howard, of the Cultivator, said of the 

 Cranberry, that we had two species, the meadow 

 and the mountain. He had seen the latter on 

 Blue Hill and in Sharon. It was common in Mas- 

 sachusetts and in Canada. But he intimated that 

 they must have moisture, whether high or low. 



