•228 
AND 
December, 1889. 
ORCHARD 
GARDE N 
holding the moisture which the plants so 
much need during the period of fruiting. 
— J. Troop, Ind. Exp. Station 
and color, to as great a degree as does this. 
It is a pistillate variety, however, and so 
needs a companion. 
Carmichael does not prove to be of any 
great value ; terries too small and few in 
number. 
Small Fruits in Indiana. 
The past season has been somewhat un- 
favorable for growing small fruits in cer- 
tain localities for the reason that the severe 
drought of 1888 affected the growth of the 
plants very materially, and the heavy frosts 
of last May killed many of the early blos- 
soms, so that the time of ripening of the 
earlier varieties of strawberries was retard- 
ed at least ten days; and varieties which 
usually ripen from the 20th to the 25tli of 
May did not show any ripe fruit until the 
very last of May or the first of June, and 
even this was not all strictly first class fruit. 
However, prices were good, notwithstanding 
the heavy shipments received from the 
South, and glowers realized a fair profit. 
Local growers are fast finding out that these 
large shipments of southern grown berries 
do not cause such a depression in prices as 
might be supposed. The people of our 
Western cities know a good tiling when 
they see it, and they are learning very fast 
the fact that nice, fresh terries, just from 
the vines, are far preferable, in every way, 
to those which have teen shipped from a 
considerable distance, many of which pos- 
sess very little of the real genuine strawber- 
ry by the time they reach the consumer’s 
table. Strawberries, however, like apples, 
are too often judged by size and appearance 
alone, and so we find that while many of 
the large varieties yield fewer berries than 
some of the smaller ones, the extra price re- 
ceived often more than compensates for the 
difference in quantity. To be popular and 
sell well the first requirement is too often 
fine appearance; flavor and quality being of 
secondary importance with many. Our 
growers are trying to improve the popular 
taste in this direction, however, by striving 
to combine these most desirable qualities, 
and so produce a berry that will tickle the 
most refined palate as well as please the eye. 
And this has been accomplished to a great 
degree, but there is still room for further 
improvement. 
Varieties. 
Strawberries, like all other kinds of fruit, 
are so affected by difference in soil and cli- 
matic conditions that it becomes a difficult 
matter to recommend varieties which will 
prove satisfactory in every locality. Of 
nearly one hundred varieties grown on the 
grounds of the Indiana Experiment Station, 
with its heavy, dark soil, underlaid with 
gravel, some are practically worthless, while 
good reports concerning them come from 
other localities, and there are others which 
seem to have stood the test over a wide ex- 
tent of teritory. 
Warfield's No. 2. which originated in Illi- 
nois, is taking the lead among those which 
have been grown for a series of years. We 
have raised larger terries from a few other 
varities, but we have failed so far to find 
one which combines uniformity cf size, pro- 
ductiveness, excellent quality, good shape 
Logan is a native Hoosier, has a perfect 
blossom, and produces berries regular in 
shape, of large size and good quality, but is 
not quite so productive as the first named. 
Cinderella is another of the same sort. 
Countess has been grown for three years 
without any marked success ; berries too 
small. 
Bubach comes next, and will do to recom- 
ment for general cultivation. It is not so 
productive as Warfield but the berries are 
remarkably large ar.d fine, with good qual- 
ity. It is also pistillate. 
Lower comes from Michigan, and is not 
very generally cultivated. It is a remarka- 
bly strong grower, perfect blossom, large 
uniform terry, of good quality. 
Henderson is a desirable variety for the 
home garden, where quality is more desired 
than size or quantity. It will respond very 
liberally, however, when given good care 
and cultivation. 
Monmouth has held its own wherever it has 
been grown and, having a perfect blos- 
som, is a fit companion for Henderson, 
ripening at about the same time. 
Jessie may still be able to hold first place 
in some localities, but it certainly will not do 
it here. It was injured by frost more than 
any other variety, which, of course, cut 
short the crop of fruit. While the berries 
are large and fine looking, the quality is not 
superior to a number of others and it is 
simply fairly productive. 
Summit produced the largest and most 
beautiful berries of all ; it is pistillate, and, 
like Sharpless, it is partial to rich soil and 
good cultivation. 
Crawford is another very promising new 
variety as we would expect, coming, as it 
does, from the hands of that veteran straw- 
berry grower, Matthew Crawford, of Ohio. 
The berry is uniformly large, pointed and 
of good quality ; having a perfect blossom 
it is a good companion for Summit. 
Crescent is probably grown over a wider 
extent of country as a market berry for 
shipping long distances than any other 
berry. It seems to be able to adapt itself 
to circumstances better than most other 
varieties, and is almost sure to produce 
good crops when planted with a good 
fertilizer like 
Sucker State which is also grown ex- 
tensively for market, and is also a good 
berry for home use ; berries of medium 
size and good flavor. 
Park Beauty does remarkably well here, 
resembling the Crescent in all respects ex- 
cept that it is not so sour. It will do for 
either home use or market. 
Photo is one of the earliest, ripening soon 
after Canell ; quite productive, berry large, 
bright red, and of good quality. With a 
favorable season we should expect some- 
thing good from this variety. 
SOME UNDESIRABLE VARIETIES. 
Atlantic has been grown for five years 
with poor results each year. 
Bonanza is of no account whatever ex- 
cept to make plants. 
Emerald has not proved altogether satis- 
factory ; berry too small, stem too short, 
and a poor yielder. 
Glossy Cone is too small and not produc- 
tive enough. 
Jewell is not profitable for the ordinary 
grower ; with extra care it may do. 
Ladies Pine is of no special value where 
there are so many that are better ; the 
berry is too small. 
Boyal Hautbois is good for nothing ex- 
cept as a novelty. 
Vineland has nothing whatever to recom- 
mend it. 
The following varieties are recommended 
for the farmer’s garden : — Bubach, Cumber- 
land, Warfield, Logan and Henderson. 
These will give excellent results if the 
proper care be given them. — J. Troop, Ind. 
Exp. Station. 
Vegetable Notes for December. 
In all the country north of the Potomac 
celery is, or ought to be by this time, per- 
manently stored either in the beds where 
grown or in trenches or pits, as done at the 
North. One of the handiest methods for 
keeping celery that is to be used during the 
early winter, was proposed, I think, by Mr. 
Henderson several years ago. That is to 
lift the plants and pack them, roots down- 
wards. in tubs made of half barrels and 
place them in a perfectly dark cellar. Keep 
an inch or two of water constantly in the 
tubs and the celery will keep crisp and 
bleach very finely. In Southern Virginia 
and North Carolina it is still too early to en- 
tirely cover celery which is desired for late 
use. Here in Raleigh as I write (Nov. 7), 
tomatoes, beans, and Irish potatoes of late 
planting are still unhurt by frost, and it 
would be destructive to cover up a hardy 
plant like celery while the sun still shines 
warm. In these sections wdiere the winter 
is mainly confined to the month of January, 
the latter part of December is usually early 
enough for the final covering of celery to 
be kept for spring. When celery is raised 
in beds as we recommend, the material for 
covering, such as forest leaves and corn 
stalks, should be at hand, so that when it is 
evident that hard winter is at hand the 
work may be quickly done. Atemperatuie 
of 25° won’t hurt celery if it is not disturbed 
until completely thawed out, but it will not 
do to risk it much lower. 
In northern sections the crop of winter 
cabbage should now be in its winter quar- 
