ORCHARD AND GARDEN. 
VOL. XII. 
FEBRUARY, 1890. 
NO. 2. 
SbiiNter’s Gem Strawberry. 
Among the many new varieties of straw- 
berries that we have tested in our Trial 
Grounds there is none, perhaps, that ap- 
peared more promising at the outset and 
that, later, has more fully sustained its 
promise than the subject of our illustration. 
It is a New Jersey seedling, from Crescent 
crossed with Sharpless, and first fruited 
with the originator in 1882. We received 
plants of it in 1886 
and during the first 
year it attracted 
particular att e n - 
tion, among other 
sorts, by its vigor 
of plant and robust 
habit of growth. 
It has fruited in 
our grounds since 
1887 and our exper- 
ience with it justi- 
fies us in saying 
that the origina- 
tor’s praise when 
send i n g us the 
plants was by no 
means ex t r a v a - 
gantor unfounded. 
The plant is un- 
usually stout and 
strong, with clean, 
healthy foliage, 
and a pisti 1 1 a t e 
bl sscrn, exceed- 
ingly productive. 
The fruit is large 
to very large, glob- 
ular, remarkably 
regular and uni- 
form in size and 
shape, of excellent 
quality, quite firm 
and of an intense 
vivid scarlet color. 
In quality it may 
be rated as first 
class. It ripens quite early, about with 
Crescent, and continues bearing for a com- 
paratively long season. From what we 
have seen of it we have no hesitation in 
predicting for it much popularity as a mark- 
et berry, and its good quality should make 
it also a favorite for the family garden. 
It has been tested likewise in the Trial 
Grounds of the The Rural New Yorker and 
its record there is the following: 
June 7tb, 1887. Plant tad, vigorous; large average 
size: often 30 berries to a stem; productiveness and size 
or berry its chief merits; early medium In ripening. 
June 8th. One of the most productive early kinds: it 
give us more berries at this date than any other kind 
June 12th to 15th, 1888, ripens freely; large, bright, 
glossy scarlet. Arm. 
Blackberries in Indiana. 
Blackberries are much less frequently 
cultivated than raspberries, especially in 
localities where the wild ones may be had 
for the picking, but even in these localities 
people are beginning to realize that it is 
much better to have them growing close to 
their houses where they can be sure of get- 
ting them when wanted. Then, too, the 
forests are being cleared away and the land 
brought under cultivation, so that there are 
comparatively few localities now where the 
wild blackberries are found in abundance, 
and so the cultivated varieties come in very 
nicely to bridge over the space between late 
raspberries and early peaches. 
Shuster's Gem Strawberry. Fig. 180. 
Agawam is rather inferior in quality, but 
the gane is hardy, fairly productive, and on 
the whole it is a very good berry. 
Ancient Briton. This is a general favor- 
ite among berry growers as it is perfectly 
hardy, a good grower and productive, berry 
of medium size. The principal berry grown 
in Southern Indiana. 
Brcnton’s Early. This resembles Early 
Harvest, but the berries are not always per- 
fect owing to the fact that the blossom is 
pistillate. 
Crystal White is a complete failure 
where the winters are severe. The berry is 
small and there are very few of them. In- 
teresting as a novelty. 
Early Harvest. Where the winters are 
mild this is a most excellent variety, as it 
ripens early and brings good prices; but it 
will not stand very severe freezing. At the 
Ohio Experiment Station, however, it is 
said to be one of the most reliable varieties. 
Early Cluster. This has not proved a 
success with us. It is no earlier than Sny- 
der, and the fruit not of as good quality. 
Erie. This is said to be tender in some 
localities, but with us it has withstood 30° 
below zero without injury. It is one of our 
best varieties here, being large, very pro- 
ductive and of good quality. 
Kittatinny. A vigorous grower, moder- 
ately hardy, and very productive, but some- 
what subject to 
rust. Fruit large, 
firm and sweet, rich 
flavor. 
Lawton. A well 
known variety, but 
the canes are not 
hardy; fcr this rea- 
son it is not grown 
so much as former- 
ly. The fruit is 
large and when 
thoroughly ripe, of 
excellent quality. 
Lucretia (Dew- 
berry). This ripens 
early, fruit large 
and of good qual- 
ity. Cane small 
and trailing. 
Minnewaski. Is 
a late variety that 
originated with the 
late A. J. Cay wood 
of New York. It 
ripens after the 
Erie and has a good 
hardy cane, bear- 
ing a large berry 
of good quality. 
Snyder. This is 
the most profitable 
berry we have, as 
it is not at all parti- 
cular in regard to 
soil, and the canes 
are so hardy that 
35° below zero does not injure them. 
Taylor. Another hardy and productive 
variety. Berries medium in size and of ex- 
cellent quality. 
Wallace. This is a very vigorous grow- 
er. requiring much cutting back. Hardy and 
productive and preferred by some to Snyder. 
Wilson’s Early. An early variety, but 
too tender for severe climates. Like the Ear- 
ly Harvest it is very profitable where it can 
be grown. 
Wilson Jr. This is a magnificent berry 
but the cane is too tender for the North. 
Windom (Dewberry'). Is disappointing a 
great many. It is too small and the quality 
very poor. — J. Troop, Exp. Station, Ind. 
