— 12 — 
shipment and it Keeps in good condition and retains its fresh color retnarkablv well. 
In season it is medium to late and the fruit retains its large size to the end. ’ Five 
consecutive aeasons of fruiting enable us to speak intelligently of this variety and 
we have yet to find a defect in it. 
narshall (S) The epicure will find in this choice variety all that he may de- 
sire in the way of quality and fine flavor; there are few strawberries more desira- 
ble for table use and it possesses other good properties. The fruit is uniformly 
large, very dark crimson when fully ripe: plant strong and luxuriant. It is much 
praised, and its excellent quality, fine flavor and large size should commend it to 
the attention of amateurs. Midseason. 
Michae '’ s Early (S) Plants very vigorous and healthy, but do best in light, 
warm soil. Tne fact that it is the earliest variety in general cultivation makes it 
very desiraoie: fruit of modern size and very firm; quality fair. 
Oriole, No. 16 (P) This is an extra early berry, ripening only two or three 
days behind Michael’s Eailv, which leads the strawberry season. It is also a large 
berry, the average measurement being an inch and a quarter across the berry and 
four inches around; no immense overgrown specimens, and almost no small or un- 
shapely berries among them. It is also a very productive variety, second to none 
m yield and this together with its beautiful, deep red color, with bright colored 
seedsstanding well out on the surface, firm, dark red flesh with a rich aromatic 
na\or distinctly its own, makes this the most desirable berry for its monev value 
m the market we have ever seen. There are many fine berries that ripen after the 
market is full and the price way down, but this variety, while equal or superior to 
them in other respects, ripens tnos of its crop before its competitors have given 
their first picking. Plant strong aud healthy, both heie and at Denton, somewhat 
after the Bubach type, though plants are produced more freely. Blossom imper- 
fect with some stamens partially developed. It has not fruited apart from stam- 
inate sorts, but its great productiveness indicates to us that it is imperfect as it is 
among this class that all the heavy bearers are found. No one at all interested in 
strawberries can afford to let this variety go another vetr untried. In the year 
1888 the Bubach (No. 5) fruited the first time with me. The marvelous prodnct- 
cues-, vigor and health of the plant was a revelation in strawberry culture. Prior 
to this, repeated trials, by planting seeds saved • from finest specimens of best va- 
rieties, with I he view of producing valuable new varieties, proved delusive and un- 
satisfactory. No systeraized effort at pollenation, with ». fixed object in view, had 
ever been made to my knowledge— in the improvement of the strawberry. Early 
varieties were attracting attention then, Hoffman leading in popular favor. That 
year (1888) both Hoffman and Bubach were in full fruitage with me, each show- 
ing very strong points of merit, and each manifesting its share of weak points. A 
variety posse-sing l he earliness, firmness and color ot the Hoffman, with the vig- 
orous productive plant of the Bubach. seemed to stand out as the great want of the 
period among strawberry growers. To accomplish this plans were matured, and a 
carefully conducted series of hand pollenations made during the period of blooming 
in the spring of 1889. 6 
Parker Earle (S) Plant very robust, strong, penetrating roots; enormously 
productive; protee'ed from late frosts by abundant leaves, trusses strong, long and 
large; berries regular, conical, short neck; glossy, scarlet, crimson, firm; t shows 
well several days after picking, and brings the highest price in market; season 
medium to late. Berrieson long strong stalks held well above the ground; will do 
best ni hills. _ Needs plenty of moisture and favorable conditions to ripen its crop. 
Splendid From Illinois. We have no scruples about recommending this 
as one of the reliable varieties. It produces a large crop of finefruit, and is as well 
able to mature its berries as any variety. It is probably the deepest rooting plant 
we have. Blossom perfect.— M. Crawford. 
Sherman (S)Hardy and enduring, withstanding drouth to an eminent degree, 
this is worthy of extensive trial. It is very productive of beautiful, roundish oer- 
ries, bright crimson, firm and good. Midsummer. 
Swindle (F) The plant in habit and giowth somewhat resembles the Glen- 
dale, although with rather broader- leaves: -it-is a more vigorous grower than either 
rf its parenta. and makes runners freely; leaf and fruit stalks are long and stout 
fru’t stalk very abundant and branch freely, so that often thirty to fifty berries 
form on a single cluster; blossoms pistillate; blooms medium to late, fruit ripens 
late to very late; always large to very large; rich dark glossy, scarlet color 
