Steawbeeeies. 103 



STRAWBERRIES. 



As my experience and observation with this fruit has 

 been confined principally to Florida, and not feeling that 

 I am well informed on its growth and culture in other 

 States, what I have to say will apply to Florida only. 

 However it is the writer's opinion that the growth and cul- 

 ture of the strawberry should be about the same in the 

 lower portion of the Gulf States as it is in Florida, as the 

 climate is- nearly the same. At any rate the instructions 

 here given for its culture in Florida should be tested in 

 the other sections referred to. 



Vajrietibs. 



The question of varieties is an all-important one with 

 strawberries much more so than with other garden plants. 

 Some varieties which succeed admirably in Florida do 

 not succeed elsewhere and vice versa. The Klondyke 

 however seems to be the general favorite everywhere. 

 This berry is undoubtedly the best ever tested in Florida, 

 but has the disadvantage of being perhaps thirty days later 

 than some other varieties. Lady Thompson is another 

 well tried variety but several weeks later than some. It 

 is large, handsome, very prolific and a fairly good shipper, 

 but not so good a shipper as Klondyke. Excelsior is the 

 general favorite among the early varieties, frequently 

 yielding berries for Thanksgiving. It is fair in quality 

 and moderate size, and extremely early and prolific. It 

 bears unusually well in cold weather, but is much inclined 



