Strawberries give the greatest yield and the largest berries when 

 grown in rich, well-prepared soil. If choice can be made, select a location 

 where the soil is moist and deep— retentive of moisture, and yet where 

 water does not stand near or upon the surface; they will, however, 

 succeed upon almost any soil if well manured. Avoid planting under 

 the shade of trees. In spring planting shorten the roots about one-third, 

 with a sharp knife. All Strawberry plants sent out by me are tied in 

 bundles, with roots straightened, thus permitting of rapid handling. 

 For hill culture in the family garden set the plants in rows two feet 

 apart and the plants fifteen inches apart in the rows, or if to be worked 

 by horse and cultivator, make the rows two and a half to three feet apart 

 and the plants a foot apart in the rows. In either case cut off all run- 

 ners as they appear. If to be grown in matted rows, plant in rows from, 

 three to four feet apart, and the plants a foot apart in the rows ; permit 

 the runners to grow at will. 



The after culture consists in keeping the soil mellow and free of weeds 

 by frequent cultivation. At the approach of winter, as soon as the 

 ground is frozen, cover the rows with salt hay or other loose, light mate- 

 rial. Light, straw}- manure is excellent for this purpose, as the soluble 

 portion leaches into the soil and affords nourishment to the plants. 

 Evergreen branches are very useful for securing the covering in place, 

 and are of themselves a protection. When the plants start in spring 

 rake the mulch from off the plants sufficiently to permit them to grow, 

 and leave it on the surface about the plants to protect the fruit and keep 

 it clean, and also to keep the soil moist and cool. When the plants are coming into bearing an application of unleached wood 

 ashes or muriate of potash along the rows very early in spring, just before a rainfall, will be found to increase the size of the 

 berries. The blossoms of all varieties here offered are bi-sexual or perfect, except those marked with the letter P, which are 

 destitute of stamens and are termed pistillate or imperfect. Pistillate varieties must have a perfect-flowered variety planted 

 near them to properly pollenize their blossoms, in the proportion of one row of perfect-flowered plants to every three or four 

 rows of pistillates. When thus properly fertilized, the pistillate varieties are generally the most productive, and there is 

 really no good reason for the prejudice with which some growers regard them. If but one variety be grown, however, it is, of 

 course, essential that it be a perfect-flowered sort, and not a pistillate one. It is best always to plant at least three varieties — 

 early, medium and late — to expand the season of fruiting to its full limit. 



POSTAGE.— Strawberry plants are sent by mail at dozen rates if desired. .If ordered 

 at 1 OO rates, to go by mail, add 25c. per lOO to the prices quoted. At 1 OOO rates by 

 express only. 



IMEIW VARIETIES. 



Digging Strawberries at Monmouth Nursery, 



GIBSON. 



Although first offered to the public in the spring of 1900, 

 without eclat, yet it had previously been tested, both at its 

 home in the Hudson Valley fruit region and in different and 

 widely separted parts of the country, proving without a sin- 

 gle exception to be of great value; several prominent growers 

 pronouncing it the most valuable of all varieties in cultiva- 

 tion. I have never known any other fruit to establish such a 



high reputation in so short a time. The berries are large, 

 roundish, with blunt apex, very uniform, brilliant, glossy 

 crimson, exceedingly firm and solid, and of a sprightly, high 

 flavor; the plant of strong, vigorous habit and an immense 

 3'ielder. It is a splendid shipper, always arriving in New 

 York markets from Ulster County in perfect condition and 

 commanding the highest price. By reason of its beauty, 

 large size and very high flavor it is one of the very best for 

 the home garden and the amateur. It is also of special value 

 as an exhibition berry, invariably capturing the best prizes — 

 in one instance taking first premium twenty-six hours after 

 being picked. Ripens from midseason to late, and is, indeed, 

 a great strawberry. Doz., 20c; 100, 50c.; 1003, <3.50. 



NEW YORK. 



A wonder in size and productiveness, excelling all others, 

 under favorable conditions, in this respect. It is a seedling 

 of Bubach, fertilized with Jessie, and was awarded a gold 

 prize of one hundred dollars in 1899. The berries are large to 

 very large, dark scarlet, changing to crimson when full}- ripe, 

 coloring all over at once ; excellent in quality. In growth of 

 plant it is exceedingly vigorous with foliage that is large, 

 bright and clean. For such a large berry it is a great bearer 

 and the berries continue to be large in size and regular in 

 form to the end of the season. It should be grown on good 

 soil and with generous culture will give astonishing results. 

 Especially line for the home garden and the amateur. Mid- 

 season. Doz., 35c.; 100, $1.50. 



McKINLEY. 



Wherever tested this has shown superior excellence and 

 on the grounds of its introducers, where it has been thoroughly 

 tested for several years, has proved itself to be of far greater 

 value than many of the leading sorts now grown. The ber- 

 ries are large, roundish, inclining to conical, sometimes flat- 

 tened or cockscombed; in color a bright crimson, with firm 

 flesh of very good quality. On good soil it is a heavy yielder 

 and the plant is both vigorous and healthy. I can confidently 

 recommend it as worthy of extended trial; for either market 

 or garden use. Midseason. Doz., 25c.; 100, 75c.; 1000, $4.00. 



PARKER EARLE, Jr. A marvel of productive- 

 ness and vigor of plant. The berries are long, like the lady- 

 finger of old, bright scarlet and are produced in such masses 

 as to cover the ground. They are not, however, very large 

 and are rather soft, but of remarkably mild, sweet, pleasant 

 flavor. Especially valuable for the home garden, ripening in 

 midseason. An improvement upon the Parker Earle sent 

 out some twelve years ago. Doz , 35c.; 100, $1.00. 



