THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



529 



Walker, v. ill soon be found in these various gar- 

 dens. In size and productiveness it excels the 

 Walker. 



It is cheering to see the increasing enthusi- 

 asni^ of the cultivators of this healthful and 

 luscious fruit. It was recently declared, at a 

 meeting of the Farmers' Club, at the Ameri- 

 can Institute, that strawberries could be culti- 

 vated at less expense than potatoes, bushel for 

 bushel. They unquestionably are a surer crop 

 than potatoes, and at present prices are much 

 more profitable. There is no good reason why 

 they should not have a place in every farmer's 

 garden. They would prove an agreeable va- 

 riety at the season when salt junk and old po- 

 tatoes are in the ascendant. 



Wilson's seedling strawberry. 



We had the pleasure, a year since, of sup- 

 plying to our worthy friend, Jonathan Odell, 

 Esq., of Yonkers, a hundred plants of Wilson's 

 Seedling strawberry. We knew that he would 

 bestow upon them careful attention ; and in 

 visiting his grounds in June we were not dis- 

 appointed in their cultivation or product. 



The beds were loaded with masses of fine 

 fruit which astonished every beholder. For 

 quantity, average size, or beauty, we doubt 

 whether they have been equalled. 



We saw dozens of the berries within a yard 

 square, measuring from four to four and three- 

 quarter inches in circumference, and a great 

 number of others of nearly as large size. On 

 one single plant we counted one hundred large 

 berries, many of which were over four inches 

 in size, and on several ©ther plants we counted 

 seventy-five and eighty berries of similar size. 



The fruit was also fully ripe at the time of 

 our visit, bearing a dark mahogany appear- 

 ance, — and the flavour, on careful examination 

 and comparison, was found to be excellent. 

 The brisk acid which is so noticeable in AYil- 

 son's Seedling, on its first becoming red, seem- 

 ed to give place to a very rich, pleasant fla- 

 vour, when fully ripe. 



Exceptions have been taken to the short 

 footstalks of this variety, but here we meas- 

 ured some of them that proved to be of six 

 and seven inches in length. 



The plants were about eighteen inches apart 

 each way, and were cultivated in usual garden 

 8oil, with a fair quantity of well-rotted ma- 

 nure. 



We think this variety will bear higher cul- 

 tivation than many others ; while its produc- 

 tion is amazing with only ordinary soil and at- 

 tention. It is hardy, vigorous, and invariably 

 productive in all instances where it has come 

 under our observation. James W. Falkner, 

 Esq., of Stamford, Ct., an amateur cultivator 

 of the strawberry, who has, within the few 

 years past, at no little cost of time and money, 

 procured from headquarters, in their purity, 

 all the best varieties, informs us that among 



34 



thirty-nine varieties cultivated this year, the 

 Wilson is regarded by him as greatly superior 

 to any other variety. 



We shall esteem it a favour to receive from 

 any one who has grown it, their frank and can- 

 did opinion of its merits, whether favourable 

 or otherwise. We early commend it to pub- 

 lic favour, and we shall be pleased to know 

 how far it has been found worthy of it. 



We hope our friend of the Magazine of Hor- 

 ticulture has been permitted to test its quali- 

 ties during the present season, and that he will 

 favour his subscribers with an opinion of its 

 merits, and of its claims to popular regard. 



STRAWBERRY TRADE OF NEW YORK. 



The quantity of this fruit sent to the New 

 York market has largely increased within the 

 few years past. Few are aware of its impor- 

 tance to the producers. The season lasts but 

 a few weeks. Those engaged in the trade have 

 to bestir themselves, and hundreds of thou- 

 sands of dollars are paid for the crop. 



New Jersey is the great field of strawberry 

 culture. Monmouth and Middlesex counties 

 furnish the earliest supply, while Ilackensack 

 and Upper Jersey yield a later and a superior 

 fruit. These are brought to the city chiefly 

 by private conveyance, are fresher, and com- 

 mand a better price than others. Among those 

 cultivated to any extent, the Crimson Cone is 

 the finest variety to be found in our market. 

 Some of the recent varieties, like Walker's 

 and Wilson's Seedlings, when they are better 

 known and in supply, will take the place of 

 many of the old and inferior sorts. 



The Express says that after a careful inquiry 

 made among the commission men, it has been 

 ascertained that over six millions of baskets 

 have been sold in the New York market the 

 present season. 



Large quantities are sold outside of these 

 commission men. There is no doubt that more 

 tho/ti a quarter of a million of dollars are paid, 

 in a single season, for strawberries in this 

 market. 



S. G. Pardee, who is now considered by most 

 people to be the highest authority on things 

 pertaining to the culfure of strawberries, re- 

 marks on the 



MANNER OF MANURING STRAWBERRIES. 



I am opposed to all stimulating manures for 

 the strawberry, or laud over-enriched, as some 

 portions of the gardens are, but I have always 

 preferred land in the best possible condition 

 for a crop. Then apply a moderate coating of 

 unleached ashes, lime and salt— pay three 

 bushels of ashes, one of lime, and four or six 

 quarts of salt, and, if need be, prepared muck, 

 or leaf mold, or turf. Always keep them 

 clean, and not only uniform large crops may 

 be expected, but superior fruit, and ail at & 



