.AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 191 



Wm. R. Prince replied to the gentlemen wLo advocate the Wilson Seed- 

 ling by again making most bitter denunciations of, and declaring it about 

 the worst of all the \tirieties ever introduced. 



Dr. Kniffht. — I have a word to say as one of the committee. If not a 

 grower of berries, I have devoted six years of my life to investigating this 

 subject, and testing them at many horticultural exhibitions. 



Mr. Fuller. — As to productiveness, I think there are several varieties 

 as productive as the Wilson ; but it is very sour. Prince's magnate is 

 very productive upon plants three years old ; but I do not like its quality. 

 As to judging strawberries, you must see and taste them every day. Per- 

 haps the berry of this collection that you would call the worst would prove 

 the best. 



R. Gr. Pardee. — We did not make up our minds from what we saw here. 

 We have been accustomed to grow, to see, to taste, and carefully prove 

 the quality of strawberries for ten years past, and we think we were quali- 

 fied to judge something of the quality and value of this kind of fruit. 



The subject was further discussed, and then the report almost unani-. 

 mously adopted. 



Edwin Marshall, of Poughkeepsie, said of Wilson's Seedling, that he 

 thought it would give general satisfaction on account of its great produc- 

 tiveness, if it is a little sour. He also said of other sorts : The Crimson 

 Cone is the great market berry of this city. The McAvoy extra red, 

 which is condemned by some, gives me satisfaction, with sugar and cream. 

 The Genesee is a very beautiful, good berry, and of good flavor. The 

 Jenny Seedling is a good bearer, but acid. The Swanson Seedling is one 

 of the very best-flavored berries, but the plants are very tender. The 

 Hovey Seedling gives very general satisfaction; and, with the Early Scar- 

 let for a fertilizer, gives general satisfaction. The Pennsylvania is a very 

 handsome berry, and with me is quite productive and of high flavor. The 

 Moyamensing is a good bearer, but not a very choice variety. The Hooker 

 Seedling is a good berry, but not a great bearer. The Black Prince is a 

 very handsome berry, and of fair quality. The Peabody is a very shy 

 bearer, but a high-flavored fruit, and will be a favorite with families, but 

 not for field culture. 



Mr. Meigs reminded the club that the report of the committee on six 

 best strawberries was declared by them to be merely provisional ; of course 

 subject to all proper alteration. 



Mr. Prince said that his garden never sold any fruit ; they gave it 

 away. He has now two acres of strawberries, and the ground they occupy 

 is worth $5,000 an acre. They sell plants, trees, &c., only. 



Mr. Prince distributed among the ladies a large basket of his finest 

 flowers. He said, with reference to the report of the committee, that he 

 had, to seme extent, treated it as he always does matters of that sort. His 

 life-experience in the garden justified him; that nevertheless he would 

 now vote for its adoption. And on motion it was adopted. 



Same subject next meeting. H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



