THE STRAU' BERRY IN TEXAS. 



617 



fourth node, according to the condition of the vine 

 But if it belongs to V. riparia or its sub-species, 

 nipeslris and other great climbing species, then five 

 or six buds and leaves should be left, according to its 

 vigor and condition. Hybrids are to be treated like the 

 parent species they most resemble and follow most 

 closely in their manner of growth. 



If these simple directions are followed an increase of 

 one-fourth in the crop may be expected. And the main 

 reason for this result lies in the increased production of 

 pollen, consequent upon the strengthened condition of 



the reproductive organs. Owing to this, the numer- 

 ous emasculated clusters and void spaces along the 

 thyosi and stems are filled up, while the berries are en- 

 larged and better developed and the number of clusters 

 and berries is enlarged. Finally, all depends upon the 

 largely increased size of the leaves, wherein is elabor- 

 ated the sap which this early pinching develops just at 

 the part of the plant where it is required to increase 

 fruit production instead of wood growth — a most import- 

 ant but generally overlooked point. 



Jefferson County, N. Y. D. S. Marvin. 



THE STRAWBERRY IN TEXAS. 



I, . I, III 



ACH passing year emphasizes 

 the fact more strongly that 

 Galveston county is a natural 

 strawberry district. And yet, 

 strange to say, there is but 

 one variety entirely suited to 

 our conditions. The Parker 

 Earle, for instance, that grows 

 so rankly and bears so abundantly in North Texas, 

 is a mere pigmy here. I have plants two years 

 old, in the richest soil, that are no larger than a 

 saucer, with a mass of diminutive little berries, 

 while along side, the Nunan of the same age have 

 immense stools 18 inches in diameter, and loaded 

 with the finest fruit. This is the strawberry "par 

 excellence'' for this region. Nearly all the stand- 

 ard varieties have been tested and discarded. The 

 fomous Michel's Early, while quite prolific and a 

 good grower, is so soft that it cannot be shipped ex- 

 cept to the nearest markets. Both the Holt man and 

 Cloud did moderately well, but none can compare 

 with the Nunan in point of vigor, productiveness 

 or carrying qualities. 



We began this year to ship the last of February, and 

 many growers sold from $400 to $500 per acre, and the 

 season is not much more than half gone. The crop 

 has been very generally distributed over Texas, while 



some have gone as far as Denver and Kansas City in 

 good order. Many of our growers have adopted (he 

 plan of shipping C. O. D. to the dealers instead of to 

 commission merchants, and with excellent results. Up 

 to the present time, the net price has been $5 per 24 

 quart crate. The plan of shipping direct to the dealers 

 has had the effect of stimulating the growers to the 

 greatest care in picking, sorting and packing, as they 

 well know that inferior fruit will certainly tell on them. 

 Now, as to methods of culture, our growers are coming 

 generally to the conclusion that it don't pay to carry 

 plants through the summer, especially on rich ground. 

 Our season is so long, and grass grows so fast, that it 

 requires more labor to keep one acre clean here than 

 five at the north. Besides, strange to say, the two- 

 year old plants are much later in fruiting in the spring, 

 and the berries much smaller than those on the fall set 

 plants. This is probably owing to the immense stools 

 the old plants make, which put out in spring such a 

 mass of blooms that the plants seem unable to bring 

 the berries to a large size. Another disadvantage of the 

 two-year plants on rich ground is, growth is so strong 

 that the fruit is almost entirely covered by the leaves, 

 which makes the berries pale and soft. To ship well 

 and be bright and glossy, they must have plenty of 

 sunshine. The plants set in September and October 

 make less vine, but more large, firm berries. This 

 difference between the two ages of plants has been 

 clearly demonstrated in my own garden; those set in 



