96 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



THE CRESCENT STRAWBERRY. 



BY G. J. CARPENTER. 



Is there a better strawberry for all purposes than the Crescent? 



Our answer is — No. 



Every year several new strawberries are sent out as candidates for 

 public favor that are claimed to be more productive than the Crescent, 

 but by some means they fail to reach the goal. 



First there came the Manchester, good in a few favored localities,, 

 but subject to rust, and a complete failure in others. Then the James 

 Vick entered the race, but was soon distanced by the old and sturdy 

 favorite. The James Vick was found, however, to be a good running, 

 mate, as it furnished more pollen than any other sort, and is by far 

 the best fertilizer for the Crescent. Big Bob was soon bobbed off 

 the track; Atlantic, Parry, and Jewel were entered but failed before 

 they reached the quarter stretch. Then came the Jessie with a flour- 

 ish of trumpets and numerous backers, and won a few heats in the 

 cool north, but failed in the heat and change of soil found in south 

 and west. Then came the big and lubberly Bubach, a winner for a 

 short time only, in a few favored localities, while in other places it- 

 was a decided failure. 



Ten years ago the Crescent had the belt as the earliest and most 

 productive strawberry in the field, and it holds the same position to- 

 day — east, west, north, and south. It is the leading market berry, 

 and I venture to say that there are more quarts of this variety than 

 of all other varieties combined. 



It is true, there are berries that are a little better flavored, and that 

 are more solid and will stand shipping better, but at the same time 

 they have each some defect that prevents their general culture. 



Again there are varieties that do well on certain soils and favored 

 localities, but even here we find the Crescent by their side. 



The ideal berry that can take the belt from the Crescent must have 

 its hardiness, its earliness, and its productiveness, together with the 



