On arrival of plants, unpack them at once, loosen the bunches and "heel" them in the ground or dip their 

 roots in a "riiuddle," made by mixing earth in water until of the consistency of cream, and \aj away in a cool, 

 damp cellar, where they can neither dry nor freeze, until they can be planted m suitable weather. Do not leave 

 in package and pour water over them, as this will surely cause the plants to heat and spoil. In planting take but 

 few plants from the trench or package at a time, and expose as little as possiV)le to the wind or sun. Never plant 

 on a windy day, and nevei- in freezing weather. Do not jjlant very deep, but press the earth firmly about the 

 I'oots. Should the v/eather be warm, shade valuable plants for a few daj^s with a handful of coarse litter over 

 each plant, or with berry baskets or boxes (old rejected ones are as good as any). 



For hill culture, i)lant in beds four feet wide, with alleys two feet between them. Plant in each bed three 

 rows of plants fifteen inches apart, and the plants the same distance apart in the rows. For the matted row sys- 

 tem, plant in rows three feet apart, and the plants a foot apart in the rows, requiring 14,520 plants per acre. For 

 the best results, mulching with some light material is indispensable, which should be applied just as soon as the 

 ground has become slightly frozen, and partially or entirely removed when the groimd has become "settled" in 

 spring. It is well to plant at least thi-ee varieties— early, medium and late — to expand the season to its full limits. 



The blossoms of all varieties are bi-sexual or perfect, except those marked with the lettei* P, which are desti- 

 tute of stamens and are termed pistillate or imperfect. Pistillate varieties must have a row of a perfect-flowered 

 sort, planted every nine or twelve feci; among them, or, better yet, every third or fourth plant in the row, to pol- 

 lenize their blossoms. 



Plants are sent by mail at dozen rates. If ordered by the 100 to go by mail add 25c per 100 to the prices 

 quoted. At 1^000 rates by express only. 



LOVETT'S STRAWBERRY GEMS. 



The field of horticulture presents many intensely interesting studies, and of these there are few possessing a 

 more absorbing interest than the study of the Strawberry. It is not owing so much to the facts that the Straw- 

 berry is among the most delicious and valuable of our fruits, and the first fruit of the season to ripen, that it 

 claims and receives so large a share of the attention of the true horticulturist; it is owing rather to the interest 

 it presents by reason of its constant changes. To-day one may have the finest and best Strawbei-ries in cultiva- 

 tion; a few years hence, if no accessions are made, his neighbor may have varieties that eclipse his completely. 



That the standard of excellence has been carried so high that a variety to be entitled to cultivation to-day 

 must indeed possess great and many Tuerits with no serious defect, is unquestionablj^ ti-ue; that all varieties of the 

 Strawberry are constantly deteriorating, just as with the potato and all other plants propagated by any method 



except from seed — the only source fi'om which a new life can be 

 generated — must be admitted also. 



Upon our grounds we have upwards of two hundred varieties of 

 the Strawberry. This collection includes about all the sorts before 

 the public — the others being varieties believed by their originators or 

 discoverers to possess much value and have been sent to us for trial. 

 From careful observation during the season just passed and in pre- 

 vious years, we regard the following varieties as the GEMS OF '94. 



ALLEY'S SEEDLINGS. 

 Mary and Henry Ward Beecher. 



It would fill a large volume to tell all of interest that could be said 

 regarding these truly wonderful berries and the work of the grand old 

 man who originated them. Mr. Horace H. Alley, of Essex County, 

 New Jersey, is now over seventy -two years old, and although a shoe- 

 maker by trade he is a horticulturist by instinct. For the past 

 twenty years he has devoted every moment possible to the study of 

 the strawberry and originating and testing new varieties. During 

 that time he has produced and fruited over three thousand seedlings 

 from crosses of the best varieties in cultivation. We have arranged 

 with Mr. Alley for the introduction of all his seedlings and now have 

 the pleasure of offering the best two of the entire collection thus 

 far fully tested, namely Mary and Henry Ward Beecher. The 

 accompanying engraving of Mr. Alley is taken from a photograph 

 and is a fairly good likeness of him. We regard Mr. Alley as a ver- 

 itable benefactor, and hope all who plant his berries will experi- 

 Originator of Mary and Henry Ward ence the same pleasure in their culture as has been our portion in 

 Beecher. our business relations with him. 



H. H. ALLEY. 



