AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 185 



fruit, just a fair average, as it comes from the fields. Look at it, smell 

 of it, taste of it, contrast the two together, and say which you would pre- 

 fer ; and don't forget the back-ache you must endure to pick a basket full 

 of these little wild berries out of the grass. 



This part of the exhibition added much to its interest, and was particu- 

 larly instructive. 



Proportion of Kinds. — Mr. Gumming. — Where I have one Hovey, which 

 I consider No. 2 of all, I have ten Wilson's, and fifty of Wilson's to one 

 of Peabody's ; and that is about the proportion of their production. 



Dr. Trimble. — I think the Wilson seedling a very acid sort. 



Mr. Gumming. — Then put in the sugar and you will have the perfection 

 of fruit. 



Orange Judd. — I have tried thirty varieties of strawberries this morning, 

 and am yet undecided which is the best variety to plant. The Wilson is 

 so acid that I would not cultivate it. 



John G. Bergen. — Out of a great variety tried at my house lately, by a 

 large company, the Wilson was preferred above all others. It is a berry 

 that turns red before it is ripe, and care must be taken not to pick them 

 until fully ripe, and then, with me, they are not more acid than others. 

 Mr Bergen exhibited 18 sorts, the most of them unnamed, and some of 

 them of very handsome appearance. 



Wm. R. Prince gave an interesting statement of the origin of all our 

 strawberries, and stated as a fact that those of Europe and this country 

 will not hybridize together. 



After his remarks, he requested his berries to be distributed, and the 

 club was at once resolved into a general tasting committee, and for a time 

 there was a pleasing scene of high satisfaction. A vote was then taken as 

 to what was the opinion of those present as to the six best varieties for 

 family cultivation. The following are named in the order of their num- 

 bers as in the appreciation of a majority of those who voted upon the ques- 

 tion as the best : No. 1, Wilson's Seedling : No. 2, Longworth Prolific ; 

 No. 3, Prince's Le Baron. At this stage of the question, some little ex- 

 citement began to manifest itself, lest the particular favorites of particular 

 individuals should not be named, and one man, who has a continual vision 

 before his eyes of "an ax to grind," and sort of fear that in some way he 

 might be called upcn to turn, seemed anxious to postpone the subject. A 

 discussion followed. 



Mr. Prince. — There is a difficulty in this kind of voting, since some who 

 vote may never have eaten any of the first class. 



Mr. Huntsman. — I do not think the Peabody a good berry for cultiva- 

 tion, though high-flavored. It must be grown altogether in ;■ tools, as it 

 runs much to vines and leaves. The Wilson overbears, and lacks foliage, 

 and it is likely to die out from overbearing. 



Mr. Judd objected to this manner of naming the six best varieties out 

 of so many, all excellent. Such a loose way of promiscuous voting would 

 not settle anything, and would bring the Farmers' Club into disrepute. 



