W. F. ALLEN’S PLANT AND SEED CATALOGUE. 
MEADE. 
Abington. —This new berry was sent out 
last spring by Lester Blanchard, of Massachus¬ 
etts, who claims that it is the best yielder and 
the largest matted row, perfect blossom berry 
that has been introduced up to date. At the 
Massachusetts Horticultural Society June ai, 
1904 a quart of this variety was exhibited 
which contained just twenty-five berries and 
was awarded second prize. Mr. Blanchard says: 
“The Abington is the chance seedling, the plant is large, 
foliage darh green, the fruit stalks are strong and stand 
erect from the ground, the blossom is perfect, large and 
full with lots of pollen, it ripens with the Bubach, the 
berries being very large, averaging as large as the Bubach 
and holds out well through the entire season Mr. Blan¬ 
chard claims the Abington to be more productive that the 
Bubach or Glen Mary, either of which is productive 
enough for best results; in color it is bright red with firm 
flesh and good flavor. Mr. Blanchard claims to have grown 
the Abington at the rate of 9.720 quarts per acre, and says 
it is a berry that will take the place of Bubach. as it is a 
better plant maker, biossom perfect and hardy, sends up 
more fruit stalks, and ripens at same time. The berry has 
a better color, firmer, better flavor, runs larger through¬ 
out the season and bolds its color better after it is picked.” 
“This fine new straw- 
berrr is the result of over 
twenty years experiment¬ 
ing in the growth of seed¬ 
ling strawberries by Mr. 
H O Meade,ex-president 
of the Massachusetts 
Fruit Growers’ Associa¬ 
tion, and he says that his- 
life’s work and reputa¬ 
tion a« a fruit grower is 
staked on the value of 
this grand new berry. It 
is very stalky low-grow¬ 
ing plant, with broad very 
dark and gl ssy foliage, a 
moderately free plant 
maker seldom crowding - 
too much for matted r< w culture, and when runners are 
kept off for hill culture it stools up heavily and conse¬ 
quently throws up many strong berry bearing stalks at 
fruiting season. All the berries that form develop to- 
fullest perfection and every specimen ranks as first class. 
The berries are of large size, pointed globular, like the- 
small end of a hen’s egg*,as though all had been perfect¬ 
ly moulded from one pattern; deep glossy red color on 
outside and red flesh ail the way through. A perfect 
berry, mildly subacid and moderately firm.” 
James Draper, of Worcester, Mass., writes r 
“The Meade is a plant whose foliage eclipses all others* 
in vigor, healthfulness and richness of color. The berry 
is well formed, glossy red and good quality; I noticed in 
our Worcester market last .June that the Meade command_ 
( d the highest prices of any variety on the fruit stands.” 
Several others] could]; be quoted, but as 
they would be practically a repetition of 
the above, I will refrain from doing sj. 
This vaiiety has not fruited here but so> 
far as the plant growth is concerned the above 
descriptions are correct. 1 have a splendid 
stock of plants and shall be pleased to supply 
all wlio wish to grow it. 
Aroma. —A popular late variety, 
as late as Gandy; large size, good 
quality and one of the finest for 
shipping. 
Meade. —Much has been said of 
this variety through the press and 
otherwise. The New England Home¬ 
stead of September 12th., j 1903, [de¬ 
voted its whole front page to a full 
sized ilustration of tbe^Meade straw¬ 
berry and said : 
“The Meade strawber¬ 
ries sent the Homestead 
were of large size, regular 
shape and good crimson 
color, sprightly and very 
highly flavored. They 
have considerable more 
snap than the general 
run of strawberries; the 
flesh is firm which should 
make it a good shipping 
berry. 
Last spring the 
Garden Magazine de¬ 
voted a full page for 
illustrating this va¬ 
riety. Mr. J. H. 
Hale says: 
This is certainly a very strong description and 
if the berry is anywhere cear as good as Mr. 
Blanchard claims, it will make a valuable 
addition to the list. I can say personally that 
it is a fine grower of large, strong, healthy 
plants, and so far, I am much pleased with its 
appearance. 
Oaks Early. —This new candidate for 
public favor was found in Somerset County, 
Maryland, by Mr. William T. Tull, growing- 
on his farm by the side of a big oak stump in, 
his cornfield. The strong vigorous growth of 
the plant attracted Mr. Tull's attention. The 
plant was hoed and left standing during the. 
