consequently contain the eggs of the moth, would make it imprudent to take young plants from a field where the insect was known to occur. Substantially the same remark must be made respecting the leaf-roller. Unless the field has been fired the previous year, all leaves of stools forming earlier than August will be liable to harbor the hibernating pupa, and it is prudent to get plants for a new stand elsewhere.

Concerning the crown-borer it is safe to say that the earlier in spring plants intended for setting can be removed from a field previously infested by this insect, the less will be their liability to contain the seed of future generations of this most destructive pest. If it is the strawberry plant-louse which we wish to exclude, the case is still more difficult. As already noted, this insect occurs on the plants either as egg or female, at every season of the year, and no security can be had against transferring it unless the plants be dipped, before setting, in some insecticide which will destroy both the lice and eggs. I know of nothing more likely to effect this than the kerosene emulsion, the use of which for horticultural purposes has been so widely and emphatically recommended by Prof. Riley.

For the protection of the new fields from invasion, I know of no resource but isolation. Either the entire plantation should be renewed at once, with proper precautions to destroy the insects existing, so that no old fields will remain to infect the new, or else fields of different ages should be separated from each other by areas devoted to other crops. If one grows raspberries and strawberries both, for example, and wishes so to manage his strawberries that he shall have about equal areas in bearing every year, the two crops might be arranged in alternating belts. If these belts were only a few rods wide, the spread of the crown-borer from patch to patch would probably be prevented, and the other insects can be managed by other methods.

To summarize in a word what may be done, according to the best of our present knowledge, in the case of our hypothetical field infested by all known strawberry insects, I would say that we shall have to depend chiefly on insect poisons in June and July, and on burning in June, to exterminate all insects but the crown-borers, and that to rid the plants of these, we must plow up the field in the following June, resetting with young plants as early as possible in the spring. If the field is not exposed to immediate infection from others near by, we have fair reason to believe that these measures would be found efficient against the insects affecting the strawberry.

President Earle, of Illinois-It seems to me, gentlemen, that I have never heard a paper read which possessed more value for us than the one we have just listened to. But before we enter upon the discussion of it we will hear a paper from Mr. A. D. Webb, of Kentucky. Mr. Webb is the originator of several noted varieties of the strawberry, among others, of the Longfellow and the War

ren.

Perhaps no gentleman in this country is better qualified from a long and intelligent experience to tell us what are the best varieties for home use, and which are best for market. I invite your attention to Mr. Webb's paper.

THE BEST STRAWBERRIES FOR HOME USE AND FOR MARKET.

BY A. D. WEBB, OF KENTUCKY.

Ever since I attached myself to a horticultural society I have endeavored to make myself useful by complying, to the best of my ability, with every request made of me in the interest of horticulture. Permit me to say I could but feel highly complimented on receipt of a request to have my name appear in the programme of business as one of the contributors to this meeting.

Permit me to say further, that my presence on this occasion is coupled with a double pleasure, being the first meeting of this Society it has been my privilege to attend, also my first visit to the Crescent City. Consequently I expect to be abundantly rewarded for the sacrifice of a few days' time and a few dollars, in what I may see of interest and what I may learn and profit by in the future.

The subject I am billed for is, "The Best Strawberries for Home Use and for Market," a very difficult one to handle satisfactorily to any one but myself. There being such a variety of soils and localities to accommodate, so many tastes to please, that an effort on my part to name a half dozen varieties as the best for family use, expecting my list to meet with general approval, would be an effort to accomplish an impossibility. I doubt if two parties representing the same locality would be a unit on a similar list. Therefore, I merely propose to exercise my own judgment in my selection, based upon practical experience and close observation, as to the best for my locality, as well as others where they have or will prove equally successful. Allow me to further preface by saying, that I have been engaged in growing strawberries, both for home use and for market, for the last twenty-five years (more, however, in the capacity of an amateur than as a large commercial grower), during which time it has been my pleasure, and I might add misfortune, financially, to fruit on my own grounds not less than one hundred and fifty varieties, a very large per cent. of my investments ranging in price from two to five dollars per dozen plants-went back on their good record, or rather what was claimed for them, and proved not worth a nickel. I merely refer to this to show that I have had quite a long list from which to skim the cream.

I now name the following varieties as the best for family use, viz.: Cumberland Triumph, Mt. Vernon, Warren, Longfellow, Monarch, Chas. Downing, and last, though not least, Sharpless.

I do not propose them to stand in the order named, as, in a few instances,

I have not been expert enough to discriminate so as to give one preference over another.

These named varieties have been carefully selected from the many I have fruited, after a thorough test (except Mt. Vernon*), through a series of years embracing favorable as well as very unfavorable seasons, with an eye especially to hardiness and vigor of plant and reliable bearing; with a single exception (Sharpless), fruit of the largest size and of superior quality forming a succession from early to late. While I do not claim perfection in any one of these, I doubt if an equal number could be selected from our present long list that would rival these in number of desirable merits, or with as few faults.

The Sharpless is all that could be desired in plant and fruit when one can get it, but it has not proved wholly reliable with me, being easily touched by frost and liable to rot of a wet season. Yet, I would recommend it in every family collection and trust to Providence for protection against frost and rot.

THE BEST STRAWBERRIES FOR MARKET.

This heading necessarily calls for two lists: one for a near market and one for distant markets.

We often see varieties recommended for home use or a near market. What are we to understand by the term near market? My idea is, this should be governed by circumstances. Where shipping facilities are favorable, a near market may be at one's door, or two hundred and fifty miles distant, or any distance our fast trains can make, receiving the fruit late in the afternoon of the day it is picked and putting it on an early market next morning. For this purpose, I can only improve on my family list by adding Crescent.

My principal market is Cincinnati, distant about two hundred and fifty miles, to which I have shipped more or less of all these named varieties, except Mt. Vernon; even when fairly ripe had them to arrive in good condition and bring the top of the market.

THE BEST STRAWBERRIES FOR DISTANT MARKETS.

The list under this head is very short, and not very sweet, namely, Wilson and Glendale. Since the introduction of the Wilson it has outranked all others as a shipper, has proved nearer a success everywhere than perhaps any other, has been, and doubtless is yet, more extensively grown for commercial purposes than any other. "Why so?" Simply on account of its coloring two or three days before it is ripe. Picked as soon as colored, which it generally is for long shipments, it will carry hundreds of miles and be in good condition for a few hundred more. This premature coloring and its

*The Mt. Vernon is of recent introduction-not so thoroughly tested as the others. From its good record, so far, I feel warranted in giving it a place in my list.

general success are the only two great merits I can see to the credit of the Wilson.

Glendale, of more recent introduction, has justly acquired some reputation as a good shipper; seems to succeed wherever tested; a late variety, of large size, and shows well in patch and on the fruit stands, when free from dirt. When dirty it is a hard-looking berry. Will bear washing almost equal to Irish potatoes. It is pronounced by some of very inferior quality. I say ditto to the Wilson. When thoroughly ripe I regard the Wilson of fair quality; the Glendale in same condition is not as bad as some would have us believe. I regard these two as the best adapted to long shipments of any that have proved generally successful. Am sorry we have no better with which to supply our distant markets. I can but feel great sympathy for the consumers of any half-ripe fruit, especially such as Wilson and Glendale, unless they are the happy owners of a sugar plantation and a registered Jersey cow. Except for this class, they are only desirable for hotels and boarding houses, where they are served in limited quantities. A second plate is never called for.

Quite a number of new varieties are now under test, for which every desirable merit in the strawberry is claimed, viz: Jas Vick, Bidwell, Big Bob, Manchester, Finch's Prolific, Phelps' Seedling, Piper's Seedling, and Sucker State. From this list we may possibly get one or more varieties worthy to be added to our shipping list. So far as I have tested them, my present judgment is that the first four named will prove of no real value in my locality, while they may be all that is claimed for them in others. I have some faith in the future success of the other four. Further time, however, is necessary to fully determine this, and might also change my opinion as to the others.

I refer to these new varieties for the purpose of comparing notes with others who may have, like myself, given them a partial test.

DISCUSSION ON STRAWBERRY GROWING.

Mr. Samuels, of Kentucky-I don't feel competent to lead this discussion; I have not had experience enough. But I asked several questions, about which there seems to be a difference of opinion. One was in regard to fall cultivation. The strawberry makes new roots in the fall; hence, fall cultivation should produce a better profit than in the spring. I only want to have the point discussed.

Mr. Galusha, of Illinois-I remarked this afternoon that I would like to say a few words on the cultivation of the strawberry, and particularly in connection with what was said in regard to manuring. No one in the North, I think, would object to manuring the ground for strawberries. In a paper read here objection was made.

because, in the South, on account of the greater heat of the sun, manure causes the plants to burn. It seems to me that would depend on the character of the manure. I think the very fact of supplying that in which the soil is deficient, enables the plant to resist any deleterious influence of the sun. I think the application of ashes to a certain extent is calculated to encourage plant growth and also fruitage. I can not see the philosophy of not applying to the soil elements in which it is deficient, or which the needs of the plant may require. With regard to watering, that point has been before you, and some experience given. I have had some experience in watering. I can not irrigate, owing to there not being sufficient inclination to my grounds. I, consequently, have elevated tanks, and a wind engine to pump the water from a very large well, which no pump can exhaust. I laid out my ground in tracts of one hundred feet broad, and the rows are planted at right angles; then, with a portable tank of about two barrels, and one hundred feet of hose, I water my beds. This is a more economical way, to me, than using pipes, as I first intended. My modes of cultivation are very similar to those which have been given. Thirty-five years ago it was the doctrine that, to stimulate strawberries, would make them run to vine, and you would not get the fruit. It has been a stumbling block to a great many strawberry growers. I believe I would have been worth twice as much as I am now if I had not followed this theory.

Mr. Smith, of Wisconsin-Do you believe the Crescent Seedling can be damaged by over manuring?

Mr. Galusha-I question if it can. My practice has been a little different from our President, in one regard. He spoke of applying stable manure; I have done that with Crescents every fall, and they have not deteriorated a particle for the last five years.

Prest. Earle-You don't have crown borers?

Mr. Galusha-No, sir; the President and I are three hundred and forty miles apart. I apply, however, such manures as have no seeds in them from livery stables where only prairie hay is used. White clover and blue grass can not be eradicated. These two are the worst weeds we have to contend with. Strawberries must not be put upon ground that has had white clover in it. I once took a