Parson's Beauiy, B. (Male.) 
MEDIUM. Bisexual. A remarkable producer of 
bright red berries, the interior of which is a trifle lighter 
in color than the outer surface; it is an exceedingly 
rich, meaty berry and very juicy; has a mild flavor, 
which is retained after being cooked; there are very few 
varieties that equal it for canning. It has the most 
prominent seeds of any berry we ever have seen; they 
are not embedded into the flesh as is the case with most 
berries, but extend out beyond the surface and give a 
most beautiful effect; the bright yellow with a dark red 
background makes such a striking contrast that it is 
sure to attract attention. They have a rather bushy 
calyx and heavy stem; for size and shape see illustra- 
tion; the camera has show-n this truer and much better 
than we could describe it. 
The foliage is an upright grower with a rather long, 
dark green and leathery leaf. It is one of the best 
pollen izers of its season, the bloom being extra large 
and exceedingly rich in pollen. The plants make long 
runners and will be more easily controlled in the fruit- 
ing bed if set thirty inches apart in the row; they will 
soon form a complete single hedge system, which is the 
most satisfactory way to grow Parson's Beauty. 
Medium rich soil is best; too much manure has a 
tendency to develop more foliage than is necessary. It 
Is not particular as to locality; we have tested it thor- 
oughly with splendid results. In packing the berries, 
place the top layer on their sides so as to show the 
broadest part of them. We have had it under our 
methods of selection for four years, and it is making 
a splendid record. You will make no mistake in set- 
ting largely of our strain of Parson's Beauty. 
Thoroughbreds Succeaded Despite Nature's Frown 
AUGUST MELCHER of Stockholm, Wisconsin, 
writing the Kellogg Co. under date of August 5, 
1905, says: "We had a very varying season from the 
time the blossoms opened until the close of the fruiting 
season. I got a big crop despite the unfavorable 
weather, and I am sure that if I had not had such 
strong fruiting plants the crop would hardly have been 
worth looking at. " 
Downing's Bride, P. (Female). 
MEDIUM TO LATE. Pistillate. One of the 
very prettiest and glossiest berries we ever have seen; 
they are dark blood red almost to center; just enough 
white at the heart to make it look more tempting and 
rich; the seeds are of a golden color and shine as if 
polished. The above photograph shows size and 
shape. The big shiny fellows lie in piles all along the 
rows; very few varieties excel Downing's Bride in pro- 
ductiveness. At fruiting time it is a sight worth going 
miles to see. The foliage will compare in beauty with 
the berry. It grows tall, has a large leathery, dark 
green leaf, which droops over and shades the berries 
from the sun's direct rays, preventing them from being 
scalded after a rain. They will remain on the vine in 
good condition for several days after thoroughly ripe; 
they also keep a long time after being picked. Run- 
ners form abundantly and grow about fifteen inches 
long before making plants. 
In preparing soil for this variety, work in plenty of 
manure. We have tested them on clay, sandy and 
creek-bottom soil with no difl^erence appearing in their 
behavior. Productiveness and quality on all soils and 
in all localities is their strong claim. Set the plants 
three feet apart in the row and train them in the double 
hedge system; this will allow plenty of room in center 
of row in which the berries may spread out. 
As the berries have such a pretty green calyx, they 
should be packed so a part of it will show; when ar- 
ranged in this manner it adds so much to the appear- 
ance that two or three cents more on the quart will not 
be objected to by lovers of something extra fancy. It 
certainly does not pay to pack such handsome berries 
as Downing's Bride carelessly; no one can realize what 
a great difference a little time in arranging the top layer 
of each box will make until they try it, and those who 
practice it always are top-notchers on the market. 
We have been working on Downing's Bride in our 
breeding bed for four years, and have tested it so thor- 
oughly that we now can recommend it to our friends 
for either the market or home garden. 
48 
