334 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Castle are also good maincrop sorts. The latter variety I saw in 
grand form at Lord Sudeley's fruit farm, where it was considered 
one of the best that they grew for jam-making. Laxton's Latest 
of All promises to be a decided acquisition. It crops well, and 
the fruit is large and of good quality, and ought to be valuable 
as it comes into use somewhat later than the other varieties 
mentioned. 
A long list of Strawberries is quite unnecessary, as a few 
varieties of sterling merit, grown thoroughly well, will pay in- 
finitely better than will a number of sorts. 
Some sensational results are occasionally obtained per acre 
Irom Strawberries ; and again, owing to gluts, very low returns 
rule. Our salesman, who receives large consignments from both 
Southern and Northern growers, informs me that the average 
price per ton over a long series of years is £20, and from inquiries 
made amongst growers on different soil in districts far apart, the 
average yield is two tons per acre, taking good and bad seasons 
together. This estimate is a low one, and may be looked upon 
as the result of very ordinary cultivation, and capable of being 
doubled or trebled by thorough culture and liberal manuring, 
combined with a judicious system of marketing the earliest and 
best fruit and the latest in punnets, and sending only the smallest 
and mid-season fruit for boihng-up purposes. 
Shelter. 
Shelter is often recommended for fruit plantations, and Firs 
or other trees have been named for the purpose ; but my expe- 
rience is that if any such protection is given those trees are most 
suitable and profitable that will pay for their room. Damsons 
are remarkably hardy, and form a splendid break to the gales, 
and, as the trees arc not fastidious as to soil or situation, 
they quickly develop into a fruitful size, and the produce always 
sells well. Every year we get inquiries for large quantities of 
Damsons at profitable rates, and both bush trees and standards 
will begin to prove remunerative in five years from the time of 
planting. King of the Damsons is one of the best, and Farleigh 
Prolific is another reliable sort. 
Webb's Prize Cob, or any of the Filbert Nuts, also make a 
good shelter for a fruit plantation, and pay well to plant, rarely 
failing to crop, and if given fair treatment prove themselves 
