DREER'S MID- SUMMER LIST. 



TO STRAWBERRY GROWERS. 



In addition to tests at our Riverton trial grounds, and observations of the Philadelphia wholesale and retail markets, 

 we have this year made a wide personal canvass of reliable strawberry growers in this vicinity, going to many 

 patches during the fruiting season in early June, and learning from practical men what methods and what varieties 

 are producing the best cash results in this section of the country. We have noted the behavior of strawberries upon 

 the clays and loams of Pennsylvania, and upon the loams and sands of New Jersey, and our conclusions in part will 

 be found below, under the different berry names. 



Private gardeners and amateure may be assured that the market gardeners know what they are about, and that 

 their selections are based upon actual experience. Hence it is wise to follow them in their choice of varieties. 



. On the other hand, nothing is more evident than the fact that a successful berry of one locality may be a failure 

 in another and not distant locality. Soil and culture count for much. 



Our advice is, therefore, to plant mainly of well tested kinds ; kinds which have been on the market long enough 

 to prove their merits, and which do well in various locations. 



But we urge our patrons not to fear to experiment with the newer sorts, in a smaller way ; for out of the newer 

 sorts will come the favorites of the future. 



The home garden must have reliable croppers, for table purposes. It must also have those new surprises which 

 are so pleasant to eye and palate in the fruiting season, and which add so much to the pleasure of gardening. To 

 practical market gardeners our observations of the strawberry crop of 1896, will prove of value. 



Parker Earle. 



THE FAVORITES OF TO=DAY. 



In the country adjacent to Philadelphia, the sea.son of 1896 was not favorable to a large or prolonged crop of 

 strawberries. The autumn of 1895 was characterized by dry weather ; and the same conditions of drought prevailed 

 during the spring of 1896. Growth of plant was retarded, and amount of fruit curtailed. The market this year eagerly 

 took all good berries, and the net results to growers were larger than in some so-called better years. 



Our personal inquiries and visits to the fields of practical strawberry men in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, during 

 Jane, 1896, warrant us in presenting the following summary : — 



The strawberries now in greatest favor among local growers for the Philadelphia market are Bubach, Saunders, 

 Haverland, Gandy, Parker Earle, and Brandywine. 



The leading aspirants for future prominence among our local market gardeners are Woolverton, Enhance, Kio, 

 Greenville, and Marshall. 



Worthy of further experiment (especially under high culture in private gardens) : Michel's Early, Timbrell, Beder- 

 wood, Hersey, Lady Thompson, Leader, Mary, Dayton, Eureka, Jacunda Improved, Van Demau, Tennessee. 



Old varieties that still have many firm friends are Sharpless, Mt. Vernon, May King, and Charles Downing. 



