A. B. Hood 6 Co.’s Descriptive Catalogue 
4 ,f 
STRAWBERRIES 
Wi- think there is no fruit that is more healthful anil will give better satisfaction. 
No home or garden should be without them, and should have fresh berries from three 
to five weeks. .Strawberries shoulil be planted either in the f;ill or spring. We h;ive 
better success in planting in early spring, although we plant up to the time that ber- 
ries are nearly ripe and we always succeed. Before planting we clip the roots off, 
and if it is late in the spring we cut all foliage off and di)) roots in a thin puddle of 
mud before idantiug. When we used to grow Wilson largely for market we planted 
with rows 3 feet apart and 12 to 15 inches in the row, but since we have been growing 
strong varieties, as the Tennessee Prolific has proved to be, we plant rows 4 feet apart 
and 3 feet apart in the rows, and on good land we find it plenty close. While any 
land that will grow good corn will grow good Strawberries, it will p:iy to Inive or 
make the land very rich before planting. It takes no more work for an acre to pro- 
duce 150 to 200 bushels than 25 to 50 bushels. 
.Strawberries are a fruit that we have never made a failure of. If we shoidd have 
late frosts that cut off the fir,st blooms, there will always be a later bloom and you are 
always sure of half a crop of berries. 
In the list that we present to you the>' have nearly all been well tried by us, but 
we do not advise you to plant many varieties, as any two or three will give you all 
you wish for home use, and, as a mtirket berry here, we would plant only the Ten- 
nessee Prolific. 
The blossoms of most varieties are perfect or bisexual, except those marked P., 
which are destitute of stamens, and are termed pistillates or imperfect (lowering varie- 
ties. They must be planted near some perfect-flowering sort or they will produce 
little or no fruit. Cre.scent, Bubach, Haverland, Greenville and Crystal City are of 
this class, but are among the most productive when plants of such varieties as Charles 
Downing, .Sharpless, Tennessee Prolific, Jessie and Lady 'Phomp.son, and other per- 
fect-flowering sorts tire planted in the same field alternately. At least every fifth row' 
in a field of pistillates should be planted with some perfect-flowering sort, while, if 
as many of a perfect-flowering sort are to be planted, it is better to plant in alternate 
rows. 
All bloom shoidd be cut off as soon as it makes its appearance after spring plant- 
ing, as it will weaken the plant very much to allow it to fruit the first season, and 
results will not be nearly as good as if cut off. 
To grow fine berries they should be cultivated well from spring to fall, running a 
light cultivator after each rain, and also keep all weeds pulled out of rows. If the 
row is kept from 15 to 18 inches wide, and the plants thinned ont in the rows, the 
result will be much larger and finer berries. 
Bubach’s No. 5 . P. Combines many 
excellent qualities, such as great and uni- 
form size, fine form and color, good 
quality of fruit, unsurpassed productive- 
ness and great vigor of plant. It ripens 
almost as early as the Crescent, and con- 
tinues about as long in bearing, and fully 
as prolific. Leaves large, dark green, 
and endures the hottest sun perfectly. Is 
taking the lead in many sections, and is 
one of the best large berries for home use. 
Brandywine. Originated in Pennsylva- 
nia. The introducer claims it to be of 
large size, firm and of best quality, con- 
tinues a long time in fruit, and the plants 
very strong, with perfect foliage. 
Crescent Seedling. P. I'ruit medium 
to large, roundish, conical ; bright scar- 
let. it requires less time and attention 
than most varieties, and is well calculated 
for those who cannot and will not give 
the necessary labor to produce the better 
kinds. 
Cumberland. (Cumberland Triumph.) 
\’ery large, regular and uniform in size ; 
light scarlet ; very handsome ; flesh juicy 
and good flavor ; plant very vigorous and 
productive. It succeeds well almost 
everywhere. All things considered, this is 
one of the most valuable sorts, and is very 
popular with our Richmond fruit-growers. 
Brandywine . 
