September, 1891. 
151 
ORCHARD 
CARDEN 
4 
sudden changes. Plants that have done 
fruiting may be replaced by others from the 
cold frame, so as to keep the table full till 
the season is over. Do not grow in this 
house any plant that is subject to red spider 
or other destructive insect. No plant 
whatever should be placed among the Straw- 
berries. If, for any reason, you want to 
grow a few other plants, keep them by 
themselves. You may begin forcing about 
the middle of October or early in November, 
according to locality and the condition of 
the plants, and keep it up as long as the 
plants last. 
Of the kinds named, Triomphe de Gand 
and Jucunda are probably still the most 
profitable for forcing for market, being 
handsome and good, and well-known old 
favorites. Triomphe de Gand is the better 
plant. Sharpless, however, will be preferred 
' by some, and it takes kindly to forcing. It 
needs a little coaxing at the tip. While the 
grower for market will not find it desirable 
to grow more than two or three kinds, there 
is no reason why others should not grow 
more for the table. Varieties with perfect 
flowers are to be preferred for forcing, oth- 
er things being equal. Some of the pistil- 
late or imperfect flowered varieties are veiy 
productive, and produce handsome fruit of 
excellent quality. By placing a row of 
these (such as Jersey Queen, Crimson Clus- 
ter, and others) at intervals among the per- 
fect-flowered kinds, they will fruit freely 
without the aid of a camel’s hair brush, 
though there are cases where it may be 
used with advantage. Parry, with perfect 
flowers, would be a good variety for trial. 
Nearly all the old kinds that we used to 
grow under glass are to-day “out of print.” 
There are many little details for which 
there is no room in a single article like this. 
Watering is very important. The plants 
should not be allowed to wilt for want of 
v water, neither should they be soddened with 
it. Gentle syringings are useful. Runners 
should not be allowed to grow. All the 
energies of the plant should be given to 
making fruit. The berries may be thinned 
out with advantage to those that are left. 
Small berries are not worth marketing. 
They had better be put in the large ones to 
make them larger. Adjust the ventilators 
so as to prevent a sudden and marked 
change in the temperature. Liquid manure 
should be used occasionally. Richness is in- 
dispensable for the production of large and 
handsome berries, and these you should 
strive to produce by a “little” extra care so 
long as people are willing to pay “big” ex- 
tra prices for them. As to the Florida crop, 
do your best to beat it in point of time, as 
you always can in size and quality till they 
learn how to grow their berries better. — P. 
B. Mead. 

^ Report on New Strawberries. 
A severe frost on May 17th killed every 
exposed blossom; and a most destructive 
hail storm on June 3rd was hardly less dam- 
aging. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, 
we had about half a crop. This is the near- 
est to a failure I ever saw, in an experience 
of over thirty years — proving what has of- 
ten been claimed, that the strawberry is the 
most certain crop grown in this climate. 
Aside from the drawbacks named, the sea- 
son was favorable, and the fruit kept re- 
markably well. Prices were good, the de- 
mand usually exceeding the supply. 
Gov. Hoard. — This was in full bloom at 
the time of the frost, and much of the crop 
was cut off. Its unexpanded blossoms, how- 
ever, were not hurt. Now, after bearing, 
the plants are green and vigorous, throwing 
out many strong runners. I think this will 
prove to be one of our most valuable va- 
rieties. 
Woolverton. — This produced nearly a 
full crop, and is in perfect health at this 
time. Those who have it may increase 
their stock without fear, as it combines all 
the desirable points in a high degree. It 
will be excellent to plant with pistillate 
sorts, as it remains in bloom about four 
weeks. 
Martha. — Although this was greatly 
damaged, it produced nearly a full crop of 
firm, bright berries of fair size and quality. 
It is a reliable market berry. 
Saunders. — I have no reason to change 
my good opinion of this variety. There is 
no fault about the plant or its habits of 
growth and productiveness. Its first blos- 
soms being killed, it produced scarcely any 
ill-shaped berries, and it is wonderfully at- 
tractive in baskets. The size and quality 
are satisfactory, and it is very productive. 
Middlefield.— This is a Ifirge and beau- 
tiful berry, never misshapen. The plant is 
faultless, and it bears well. It is fine for 
any purpose. 
Farnsworth. — Superior quality is the 
prominent characteristic of this variety. It 
should have good culture in hills, otherwise 
it will be lacking in size and productive- 
ness. 
Shuster's Gem. — This is a good grower 
and bearer, of medium to large size, bright 
red and attractive. It was much larger last 
season in narrow rows. 
Parker Earle. — This was by far the most 
productive variety on the place. It is quite 
late in blooming, and was but little injured 
by the frost. The color and shape are beau- 
tiful, and the quality is better than the av- 
erage. I have heard a good many reports 
of this variety, and all are very favorable. 
It seems to do well everywhere. It sends 
out but a moderate number of runners, and 
will not be cheap and common for some 
time. 
Yale. — If this is productive enough, it is 
all that was ever claimed for it. The plant 
is healthy and a good grower. The fruit is 
large, round, very dark, with the seeds on 
the surface, and one of the firmest. The 
quality is good. There is so much coloring 
matter in the fruit that one quart will give 
a dark, rich color to four or five other varie- 
ties when used for canning. 
Great Pacific. — I had this both in the 
matted row, and in hills under high culture. 
It produces a great many berries of medium 
size. I think it is the sourest berry I ever 
tasted. Of no value here. 
Mt. Holyoke. — This produced a very 
large number of blossoms both before and 
after the frost. It proved, however, to be 
so unproductive that I destroyed all I plant- 
ed this spring. 
Beder Wood. — This is, in my opinion, 
the best early variety ever introduced eith- 
er for home use or market. The plant is 
faultless, and enormously productive. No 
rust yet. Fruit large, of fine form and col- 
or, moderately firm, and of good quality. 
Fortunately it makes many runners, and 
they will all be wanted as soon as its value 
is known. 
Tippecanoe. — O f no value here. 
Barton’s Eclipse. — This is not widely 
disseminated nor well known but it is a 
splendid grower, perfectly healthy, and 
enormously productive. It is probably not 
excelled in these respects. The fruit is very 
large, of good form and color, and of the 
same general character as the Haverland. 
It will be a great market berry. 
The Felton and Hatfield did not fruit with 
me. Plants were nearly all taken up. 
The Walton commenced to rust very ear- 
ly, and, altogether, is not a desirable varie- 
ty here. 
Ivan hoe. — Not yet for sale. This has 
fruited with me three times, and is a val- 
uable, early berry with no defects that I 
have discovered. 
Muskingum. — I have every reason to be- 
lieve that this is a great market berry. 
It is a great bearer, healthy and vigorous, 
and the fruit is large and attractive. Not 
yet introduced. 
Princess. — This is a Minnesota berry, and 
likely to become very popular. It has clear, 
healthy foliage, and has made a better re- 
cord for productiveness than any other berry 
I have heard of. It has produced berries of 
perfect form, over six inches in circumfer- 
ence. After seeing it this summer, I am 
inclined to believe that it is just about all 
that has been claimed for it. 
Edgar Queen.— Of the same general 
character as the Haverland, but of larger 
size and more inclined to be wedge-shaped. 
It is one of the most productive, and will 
likely be a favorite. 
Williams. — A Canadian berry of the 
Sharpless style, and thought to be four 
times as productive. I am certainly very 
favorably impressed with it from one year’s 
trial. 
Greenville.— From Greenville, O. This 
has some good characteristics, and may 
prove to be valuable. It will require 
another season to decide. 
Huntsman. — From Lawson, Mo. A mag- 
nificent plant, and quite promising. 
The “Beverly,” now being introduced 
by the originator, Benjamin M. Smith, of 
Beverly, Mass., has received four prizes 
from the Mass. Hort. Society within thir- 
teen months. This society does not award 
prizes at random. — M. Crawford, Ohic. 
