280 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



years to make them abundant. Every locality has its favorite, and many 

 individuals hold fast to the kind always grown in the family, and will not 

 inquire whether there is a better one. 



In 1859 the strawberry question was ably discussed before the American 

 Institute Farmers' Club, and a committee was appointed to name six straw- 

 )erries most worthy of general cultivation, in the order of their value. 

 The committee reported the following, which were approved by a full 

 neeting: 



1. AVilson's Albany. Its good qualities are productiveness, size, and 

 firm, juicy flesh. It is, however, too acid for the taste of many, 



2. Longworth's Prolific. Early, large, and of excellent flavor; only 

 moderately productive; sometimes running too much to leaf. 



3. Hooker. Good size; of a rich, sweet flavor; moderately productive. 



4. MacAvoy's Superior. Productive, large, and of excellent flavor; 

 berries often defective in form. 



5. Hovey's Seedling. This variety is too well known to need any 

 description. Its only defect is dryness and want of high flavor. 



6. Burr's New Pine. Of exquisite flavor, medium size, only moderately 

 productive; plants want vigor and hardiness. 



At Boston, the same season, the question was discussed by the Horticul- 

 tural Society, and a ballot taken as to the best six varieties for market, 

 which resulted as follows: Early Scarlet, 19 votes; Wilson's Albany, 19; 

 Hooker, 11; Hovey, 10; Triomphe de Gand, 8; Burr's New Pine, 6; other 

 varieties, 1 to 4 votes each. 



Another ballot was taken for the best six varieties for amateurs, which 

 resulted in the following list: Early Scarlet, Hooker, Burr's New Pine, 

 Eovey's Seedling, Wilson's Albany, and Triomphe de Gand. 



During the last two years the Triomphe de Gand has gained very much 

 jm favor. Several large cultivators, including Mr. Knox, of Pittsburgh, 

 vjonsider it the most profitable of all for a market crop. Of other sorts we 

 remark: 



The true Bishop Orange will be good for a late ripening crop, and ia 

 remarkable for its beautiful orange scarlet color, and for its produc- 

 tiveness. 



The Jenny Lind is very early, a good bearer, double the size of Early 

 Scarlet, fine color, well flavored, productive, and a favorite in New England. 



Peabody's Seedling is a very shy bearer, and is nowhere a favorite at 

 the North. 



Prince's Scarlet Magnate is a beautiful sort, and a rampant grower. 



The Bartlett, said to be a new seedling, originating in Brooklyn, N. Y., 

 is an excellent strawberry. 



The pleasantest flavored strawberry grown is Burr's New Pine, and 

 Swainstone's is the richest, but these are not productive sorts. 



The Austin, originated by the Watervliet Shakers, is a good late berry 

 for family use, but the fruit is too soft for transportation to a distant 

 market. 



The Boyden Seedling is noted for its mild character, which is such that 

 the most delicate invalids may use it with impunity. It grows to a large 

 eize, is a very delicious berry, but rather a shy bearer. 



