Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-09-30
Farm and Household.

of the American Institute, Professor
Huntsman said i:
81 think the great size that some re-
cent seedlings have obtained has not
improved the quality. Most of the large
berries are deficient in flavor. When a
new Seeding has been produced all
right in this respect, it is usually small
or too unproductive to SUIT the desire.
of the strawberry growers. We hope
yet to obtain a combin- ZION of all the
good qualities requisit that is, great
size and productiveness and qualities
equal to thu best. We have reason to
hope for this when we look at what has
been done within fifty years, or even
ten, by naturalization and production of
new seedlings.
'sOriginally there were three species
of wild strawberries in Europe-the
green or small aromatic berry the
wood, or alpine, which produced small
dry berries, and seedlings from the
above were not improved the third
was the Hautboy, small high favored
fruit, growing upon stronger plants
Slight improvements have been made
from seedlings of this variety. In
America we have three species OF varie-
ties of one species, the Eragaria Virgin
lana or wild strawberry, small but sweet
and improved in new seedlings. A sub
variety called the Iowaensis is found at
the West, of large size, early. brilliant
scarlet, but acid. InSouth America there
are two species or varieties, the Grandi-
flora, with flowers of the size of sill
Yer dollar-plants vigorous and pro-
ductive burns in our climate, but
thrives in Europe, where it is extensive
ly used to obtain new,seedGngs, being
susceptible of considerable improve
ment. The other variety is the Chill
or Chiensis, similar TO the Grandifora,
but of still larger size, though differing
in character. It is too tender here,
and even dies out in Europe. Its chief
value is as an impregnator to get hy-
birds. Within the last few years, many
crosses have been made between the
Alpine or Pine and Grandihora, also
the Virginiana and Chiensis, obtaining
such berries as the Triumphe de Gand,
Hovey, Napoleon III, ETC."
Professor Huntsman said that he had
recently obtained some seedlings of
promise by crossing the Iowa and Early
Scarlet, and is now trying the Chill
crossed with the Iowa, but is not pre-
pared to report upon the product.
The sexual character of the, strawber-
ry was spoken of. While Longworth
and some others claim that the pistilate
varieties are the most productive, he
prefers hermaphrodite sorts, which fer
tilize themselves. AS general rule,
berries with rosy white flesh are the
highest favored, Boston Pine, British
Queen and Burr's New Pine, are exam
Piles. Many persons fail to get crop
of strawberries for want of good culture.
To get the best returns, the plants
should be set one to two feet apart, ac-
cording to the habit of the variety, and
all the runners kept pinched OFF. Ma
nure literally with ashes or decomposed
leaves and barn-yard manure. A list
of six varieties may include Triumphe
de Gand always kept in hills) Russell's,
Hovey, Agriculturalist, also to be grown
in hills two or two and half feet apart
Wilson and McAvoy's Superior on
Longworth's Prolific; the amateur
should always have Burr's New Pine,
Hooker, and Boston Pine.
The Rev. DIR. Osgood said he had
heard some money calculators estimate
the annual value of the strawberry crop
sent to the city markets at million of
dollars. OF how much more value to
the great human family would this crop
be estimated upon the value of health
and social good feeling which it produ-
ces. ] say that the time may come
when every prodigal son may return
from his food of husks in the fields and
paths where he has wandered to feast
of strawberries and cream in his own
mothers house, and that every father
may be induced to grow the crop in its
greatest perfection In readiness for
these happy family reunions.