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

 dip their roots in a " muddle," made by mixing earth in water until of the consistency of cream, and lay 

 away in a cool, damp cellar, where they can neither dry nor freeze, until they can be planted in suitable 

 weather. Do not leave in package and pour water over them, as this will surely cause the plants to heat 

 and spoih In planting take but few plants from the trench or package at a time, and expose as little as 

 possible to the wind or sun. Never plant on a windy day, and never in freezing weather. Do not plant 

 deep, but press the earth firmly about the roots. Should the weather be warm, shade valuable plants for 

 a few days with a handful of coarse litter over each plant, or with old berry baskets or boxes. 



For hill culture, plant 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 system, 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 seme 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 ground has become "settled " in Spring. It is well for all to plant at least three 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 letter P, which 

 are destitute of stamens and are termed pistillate or imperfect. Pistillate varieties must have a row of 

 a perfect- flowered sort, planted every nine or twelve feet among them. 



NEW VARIETIES. 



By mail postpaid at dozen and nundied rates. 



STBAWSIBfiy OEMS Of m 



[Shown on Colored Plate?) 



Mary, Henry Ward Beecher, Dayton, Iowa Beauty. 



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 

 strawberry 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 strawberries in cultivation; a few years hence, if no acces- 

 sions 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 

 merits with no serious defect, is unquestionably true; 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 

 from 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 ob- 

 servation during the season just passed and in previous years, we regard the 

 four varieties named above as the GEMS OF '93. 



