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Stralvherries 
IeING so fond of fruits of every species and variety, to me there is no “one l>est of all.” 
I-V I There is this, however, to be said of the Strawberry, on about every variety of soil, light or 
|l I heavy, high or low, wet or dry, cold nortli hillside, in the valley, or on the warm southern 
I slope, with or without fertilizer, under best systems of culture, or under conditions of 
extreme neglect: Strawberrie.s, within ten or twelve months after planting, may be de- 
I)ended on to give fair returns of delicious fruit. And if larger returns of the very finest 
berries are wanted, one has only to apply better conditions of feed and culture to whatever soil 
is available. 
Some latid-owners fool themselves and families by saying, “ .My land is not suitable for Straw¬ 
berries!” One of the best farmers I know fooled himself and family out of Strawberries in that 
way for thirty years, and when his land passed into other hands it proved to be the most valuable 
Strawberry land for miles around. 
To have the land deeply plowed and heavily enriched with well-rotted stable manure, supple¬ 
mented by wood-aslies or some other form of potash, is the best preparation. Early spring is the 
time to plant, in rows 2'A to 4 feet apart, according to soil conditions and variety, with plants 12 to 
18 inches in the row, so as to have narrow matted rows at the end of the growing season, with plants 
5 to 8 inches apart. This will give more aiul better fruit than a thickly matted bed, where all run¬ 
ners iiave been allowed to root, or the hill system where all runners liave been cut away for the 
entire season. If possible, the family plot should be in long, straight rows, so that the horse and 
cultivator may do most of the work and so insure the greatest returns at the least possible cost of 
time and labor. 
A good big Strawberry bed for the family, where early, medium and late varieties are planted, 
will furnish a full supply for si.x weeks or more, and surplus enough can be sold to furnish quite a 
little ready cash just at a season when there is little else to be sold from the farm. 
Plant a big family bed of Strawberries at least, and at the present time commercial planters 
can see superb profits ahead of them, for market planting for some years past has not kept pace 
with increasing demands. 
Strawberries as is Strawberries 
I believe I have tested practically every Strawberry grown in America for the past thirty years, 
and have often had as many as three hundred varieties growing at one time. For a number of 
years I have been discarding all but the very choicest varieties, and, from my own e.xperience and 
that of e.xperts in many sections of our country, 1 am led to believe that the following list com¬ 
prises all the great commercial varieties and such of the fancy market and amateur ones as 
are most highly prized by e.xpert gardeners, who often appreciate size, beauty or quality, rather 
tiian greater yields. Demands 0! the most critical and exacting can he fully supplied from the 
following list: 
AKNOT, or PARKER EARLE IMPROVED. A very late, perfect bloomer of great produc- 
- tivenesB. A wonder on deep, rich, moist soil. Price, 25 cts. per doz., Si per 100, 
S6 per 1,000. 
BUBACH. productive large varieties none have been so popular the countrv 
- over as Bubach. but owing to overcropping its plants have weakened in some 
sections and are not as full of vigor as formerly. So many of my customers call for the old-time 
vigorous, healthy Bubach that, after searching the country over and securing several choice selec¬ 
tions, I am propagating a strain of Bubach that surpasses all others I know. I am prepared to 
supply my customers the best stock of this grand imperfect-dowering variety. A grand companion 
for Bubach is Glen Mary. Price, 25 cts. per doz., 50 cts. for 50, 75 cts. per too, f4 per 1,000. 
BRANDYWINE. This broad, tough, dark-foHaged, stocky-growing plant, with perfect 
— blooms, was exceedingly popular on its first introduction. Being rather 
over-praised, however, some were disappointed that it failed to come up to their highest e.xpecta- 
tions. They expected too much, that was all; and so for a year or two Brandywine was neglected 
by many, until it was discovered that those who liad held on to it were finding one of tlie verv re¬ 
liable large-fruiting varieties, that would thrive on a great variety of soils, and could be depended 
upon to give a heavy yield every lime. And now everybody is calling for Brandywine, which is a 
very large, broadly heart-shaped berry, of medium red color, with bright yellow seeds, firm flesh, 
and red color to the heart. It has a distinct, sprightly flavor that makes it a very enjoyable berry. 
Medium late in ripening, Brandywine comes at a good time between the medium-season berries 
and the very late ones, and thrives on a great variety of soils. These points, combined with large 
size, productiveness and firmness of te.xture, make Brand)’wine a very valuable Strawberry, 
especially as it has a peculiarly rich spiev flavor that charms all who taste it. Price, 25 cts. per 
doz., 50 cts. for 50, 75 cts. per ioo, $2 for’500, <4 per i.ooo. 
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