The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-13


arc picked and cut. We are, for in
stance, now receiving green peas from the
neighborng gardens, and for the first time
this year enjoy that agreeable vegetable in
its better state while the prices have
dropped to moderate figures, though with
still more plentiful supply they will soon
fall much lower, and later, the best varc-
ties will be offered. Asparagus, too is
abundant. and, being cut on Long Island
and In New Jersey in the morning and served
on the same day IL Is very different thing
from the asparagus which came from the
South six weeks ago. There Is no moro
healthuI vegetable than this, and none
more appctizing. whether il is eaten warm
from the kitchen or enioved-a delicious
dish las n salad after it has been cooked and
cooled. Cauliilowar, another OF the triumphs
OF gardening, is on hand from Long Island,
and cxcites the skill OF the masters and
mstrcssos Of cookery. Cabbage Is likewise
in good supply, and at from to 10 cents n
head. Onions arc plenty at 10 cents quart,
and hcots and turnps at fair prices, while
salad vegetables, especially lettuce, which
may be had at from 2 to cents head. are
in largo supply and cheap.
But the speciality of tho month Is, OF
course, Strawberries tho season for which
Is always too short, though it has been
heightened by bringing the product OF the
Southern gardens to our tables, until now it
extends from early in May until the 4th OF
July, whereas once n single month covered
the whole Of il. They come first from Flor
ida. then from Savannah and Charleston,
then from Norfolk, after which Maryland,
Delaware, and New Jersey successfully for
ward their crops, which give place at last
10 those OF this immediate vicinity and of
this State.
Mr. JAMES w. PARKINSON, who is an mr.
dent admircr Of this most delicious OF all the
berries, predicts tho time when the straw
berry season will be- heightened into August
and the summer through by the use OF art-
llcial means for keeping back the plants.
Already, as he shows in tho Philadelphia
Times, not only has the crop enormously
increased of recent years, but Also whereas
half century ago only two or three kinds
of strawberries were grown, the different
varieties now cultivated are numbered by
hundreds. 1t may be said, however,
that meantime the quality Of the
berries obtainahle in the markets has not
kept up with the increase OF their varieties.
Berries OF large siza and handsome appear
ance are plentiful enough. but it Is not easy
70 get sweet and luscious fruit OF deli
cate and rich flavor reyiving memories Of
the strawberries OF an earlier period;
though in private gardens there are now
grown varieties which surpass the old fruit.
This city received last year eighteen mil
lion baskets OF strawberries, enough to give
tho people almost score OF baskets apiece.
and Mr.. PARKINSON estimates the annual
consumption of the four cities OF New York,
Boston, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati at n
million and a half Of bushels. The pros
pect is that the present years crop will be
exceptionally great The yield Of this berry
is SO rich that 200 bushels, or 600 quarts, is
not regarded as an extraordinary crop for
an acre Of ground. while as many as $50
bushels. or 5000 quarts, are frequently pro-
duced. Ono grower in Virginia has "A straw
berry plantation Of 1880 acres, and raises
crop Of nearly 100000 bushels, all OF
which he sends To n single commission
house in Boston, a city noted for its markets.
Besides Virginia, Maryland, Delaware,
and New Jersey, the great strawberry
region from which the chief part OF our
supply comes, the West Is an enormous
producer OF this short-llved fruit. In San
Francisco tho strawberry is almost peren-
NAL, which is perhaps too much OF good
thing; and, rs far back as 1870, from May %
to Juno 0 there We're shipped over the
Illinois Central Railroad TO Chicago 9so,47G
pounds, or nearly 800 tons Of these berries.
Tho strawberry season is now here and
from this time forward until the first week
Of July the fruit will bo in its most alum
dIut supply, and let the feasters do 1t JUS
tico while It remains on the table.