14 



STBAWBERRIES. 



Varieties.— The varieties vary much in size, color, and qual- 

 ity of the fruit and vigor, productiveness and hardiness of the 

 plants. The flowers also vary, as has been mentioned under the 

 head of "sexuality of the flowers." There are now probably over 

 a hundred varieties catalogued by nurserymen, and new varieties 

 are brought out each year, but of the new kinds that we have tried 

 probably not one in twenty-five has been worth the keeping. It is 

 well not to pay a high price for plants. The new kinds, if good, 

 are soon offered at reasonable figures. As a] rule it is not necessary 

 to pay over twenty-five cents per dozen, or one dollar per hundred 

 for plants. In quantities of five hundred or more they can be 

 bought at much less cost. About two hundred plants, if well set 

 out and oared for, will give all the fruit needed by the ordinary 

 family. 



Wakmeld. — Probably the most popular berry grown. Blos- 

 soms, pistillate ; plant healthy, a strong grower, producing a great 

 quantity of runners, and is very fruitful. The fruit ripens very 

 early, is of good size, dark red and firm, but not sweet or very large. 

 A good variety to ship. 



Havekland, — A popular productive variety, having pistillate 

 flowers. The fruit is of the best quality but not very firm, unless 

 it is picked before it is fully colored ; a valuable variety for home 

 use or near market. Not quite as early as the Warfield. Needs 

 special care in mulching to keep the fruit clean, as it ripens close 

 to the ground. Very healthy. 



CBESCENT.^For many years this variety has been, very popu- 

 lar, but the Haverland and Warfield are generally supplanting it on 

 account of their being more productive. Fairly productive, vigor- 

 ous, healthy, early. Berries of medium size, bright red, firm, quite 

 acid. A good shipping kind and largely planted. Flowers pistillate. 



Bbandywine. — Bi-sexual. Fruit large, firm, good color and 

 quality, heart-shaped. Plant of fair size, vigorous and generally 

 productive. It blossoms over a long season and produces large 

 amounts of pollen, and is one of the best pollenizers for pistillate 

 sorts. Mid-season. 



Captain Jack, — ^Flowers bi-sexual. An excellent variety. For- 

 merly very healthy and widely gro« n, but for a few years past 

 has blighted badly. It should be treated with some fungicide to 

 preserve the foliage. 



Splesdid. — Bi-sexual. A very popular new sort. Fruit large 

 and of fine appearance and color. Valuable for both house use 

 and marketing. 



LovETT, — Bi-sexual. One of the most certain and profitable 

 • kinds grown. Fruit large, of high color, firm and of excellent 

 flavor. Mid-season. Produces lots of pollen. 



Wilson. — One of the oldest varieties in cultivation, and where 

 healthy is still a most excellent poUenizer. It is, however, some- 

 what iickle about its location. 



Other varieties of considerable merit are — of pistillate kinds — 

 Bubach, Princess, and Gandy, a, very late variety, with bi-sexual 

 flowers. 



