This is an open department for the use of all interested obseriiers, from whom cor- 

 respo)ide7ice is solicited on any topic of horticultural ititerest. Valuable items are fre- 

 guetttly crowded out, but all will appear m due time. 



The Southern California Citrus Fair. — A small 

 portion of Southern California was exhibited in New 

 York last month. The hall was transformed into a 

 miniature orange grove, rows of orange trees bearing 

 the luscious golden globes being flanked by mounds, 

 boxes and baskets of oranges, lemons, limes and pome- 

 los, interspersed with a profusion of fruits, flowers, 

 shrubs, canned and evaporated fruits, raisins, speci- 

 mens of native woods, -etc. The hall was beautifully 

 decorated with spreading palms, graceful pampas 

 plumes and specimens of different plants indigenous to 

 Southern California. A giant cactus, 20 feet in height 

 and weighing nearly a ton, was a feature which attracted 

 much attention, as it towered a column of living green 

 in the center of the hall. There were numerous speci- 

 mens of different varieties of cacti ; different species of 

 yuccas, pine-palms and other interesting plants. The 

 display of vegetables was small, including a few mam- 

 moth squashes, pumpkins, beets and potatoes, but show, 

 ing by the huge proportions of these the possibilities of 

 the soil and climate. The chief interest, however, cen- 

 tered in the display of citrus fruits, of which there were 

 said to be more than 100,000, oranges being in great- 

 est profusion. The latter were noticeable for their 

 bright, clear, golden color, being remarkably smooth 

 and free from imperfections. There were some re- 

 markably large specimens of the seedless Riverside 

 Washington Navel, though some of the smaller varie- 

 ties were said to be finer grained and of better quality. 

 There were numerous citrons, which very much re- 

 semble in color and general appearance an enormous 

 lemon. Several bottles of olive oil of fine appearance 

 denote a very profitable industry in the culture of the 

 olive, which thrives remarkably in the more arid por- 

 tions of the state. The display of raisins was large and 

 fine, embracing several brands, including the Sultana 

 Seedless. Another product of the grape was exhibited 

 everywhere in the shape of innumerable bottles of wine 

 of fine appearance, but unapproachable farther. The 

 whole display was tastefully arranged, and was a won- 

 derful exhibition of the capabilities of a vast " desert '' 

 when brought under the influences of irrigation. — Val. 



Wisconsin Strawberry Notes. — The unfavorable 

 frosts of last May hardly gave us a successful year for 

 strawberries, yet the comparative merits of the new va- 

 rieties may be relied upon :' 



Jessie. — As this is the home of the Jessie, we are 

 gratified to be able to report that it stands at the head of 



the list for size, quality, vigor 

 and productiveness. Being per- 

 fect in blossom, it is a good pollin- 



izer. On some soils there are unfavorable reports, and 

 from other sources the evil comes from spurious and 

 mixed plants. 



Buhach lSfo.^\% the best large pistillate berry, and is 

 a splendid accompaniment to the Jessie for fancy and 

 profit. I know of none better for near market. 



Warfield No. 2 stands at the head of the pistillate va- 

 rieties for productiveness, beauty and best shipping 

 qualities. It is even more firm than Wilson, and the two 

 varieties may be picked and shipped in the same crate. 

 It is equally as productive as Crescent. 



Haverlatid is a splendid variety, a great bearer and 

 stands side by side for vigor, productiveness and profit 

 with Bubach among the pistillates. Now we want a 

 mate for it of the same shape, size and color, so that 

 they can be planted side by side and marketed together. 

 I know of nothing yet introduced better than Jessie to 

 plant with it. This also needs a near market. 



The productiveness of Jessie and Bubach may be 

 illustrated by the following measurements : After the 

 beds had been picked six times, I marked a few plants- 

 July ist I cut II Jessie from one stem whose added cir" 

 cumference was 33^^ inches ; another with 9 berries 

 measured 30^4^ inches. One stem of -Bubach, 11 berries 

 measured 35^ inches, another of 8 berries 25^ inches. 

 These were four out of fourteen stems measured, with 

 but little variation, and all picked from matted rows 

 where plants were dug very close ; if plants were 

 grown in hills and given nice attention more than 

 double these figures would have been reached. 



From my experience with 100 varieties of strawber- 

 ries, I would class the principal ones as follows : Wilson 

 and Warfield No. 2 for shipping and canning, Jessie and 

 Bubach No. 5 for home use and near market, Jessie and 

 Haverland for home use and near market, Jessie and 

 Crescent for home use and near market. Wilson, 

 Miner, Capt. Jack and Mt. Vernon are all good for fer- 

 tilizing. Two rows of these and four of the pistillates 

 may be successfully grown, but pistillates will bear 

 better if every other plant in the same row is perfect- 

 fiowering. We have many new varieties on trial which 

 we will report on in due time. Gandy and Lida are 

 late, but not productive, We plant in long rows two 

 rows of perfect-flowering kinds and two rows of pistil- 

 lates ; plants set 3 feet by i foot, and kept in narrow 



