Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-19
IMMENSE STRAWBERRIES.
A New Method for Planting in
Summer.
BY r. II. HAINES

In MANY home il is a cause OF con-
graduation, that such marked progress
has been made in the size that Is now at
tanned by some of the newer varieties OF
Strawberries. A few years ago the most
sauguine OF US would hardly have be-
lieved it 10 he possible to grow them as
large as they have recently been grown.
As it is, even at the present day, many
would be inclined to doubt the reality
OF the measurements given OF some OF
the larger berries, were it not that the
berries had first been placed on exhibit
ton, and had been officially measured
by the officers of the horticultural socle-
ties. The very largest berries have
measured respectively q little over
eleven, twelve, and fourteen inches
around-the latter being found TO have
circumference of exactly fourteen and
quarter inches. 1t should be noted
however, that these extra large berries
are never perfectly round, but OF flat
tened or con-cCmbed shape, and that in
measuring we take the greatest circum-
ference. Thus, though these large ber-
ries measured from over three and a
half to over four and half inches IN iii
ameter, one way, vet there measurement
the other way was something less than
two inches in diameter. Upon my
desk now, as am writing,
/ have plaster cast OF one
berry that measured nineinches around.
Even a berry of this size is immense, us
only three or four of them would be re-
uuIred 10 till up an ordinary dessert
SANGER. IL is seldom that these extra
sized berries are produced by the plants,
but with good cultivation, and with the
right varieties, scores of specimens may
he produced measuring from five to six
inches around, with here and there an
extra large berry.
NarpleSs-There is only one ofthe six
" or seventy varieties on every ground
that has produced larger berries than
this. though the "I'rtSid6d LucoiH,
with its mammoth eleven inch berry,
comes into very close competition IN
sharing tshonors. However the UNI
uslal ADAPTATION of the Sharpless To diff
fercnt soils and localities, and the average
large size of its berries, is making 1t one
of tine most popular of the newer varlc-
ties. The very fact OF its popularity will
lead many unprincipled men to palm
of commoner varieties in Its place, but
the genuine plants can hardly help
giving very general satisfaction, com
bining rs they do SD many good quail
ties.
Gapral SiefmGn-This is a new variety
of considerable merit When grown
upon suitable soil, and given good
supply Of water, by irrigation or other
wise. then il produces many line large
berries. IL is here that naturally fine
variety has the advantage OF the Inferior
kinds, as a small variety like the Mica
nor" even with the best OF irrigation
could not be made TO produce large
berries The fruit Oi the General Sto-
MAJ, is Of a brilliant scarlet color, conf
cal. and Of good quality.
LaurI Leaf. Great ImsrjcdR, KerTs Late
pr0lif,, and GlHGdis are varieties,
whose late habits of ripening will be
appreciated by those desiring to prolong
the length OF the strawberry season.
For early varieties, | might mention the
Crystal Cig, Duchess, Matilda and Duncan
As being among the first to ripen.
I'm krowing large berries, due care
should be taken in preparing the ground
IN see that it is plowed or spaded such a
way that the manure is well intermiXed
throughout the soil, and not placed at
the bottom of the burrows where 1t Will
be out Of reach of the young plants.
The stvle of deep shading called
"trcnching," is the best for small plants.
By using what are called pot grown
plants" which stand transplantng
without any special check 10 their
growth, il is possible To get nearly tull
crop of berries sometimes a quart TO 4
plantl bv next summer. This style OF
plants also WELD berries OF the largest
Size, even though planted out only nine
or ten months before the time OF
fruiting, rs many of the prizes this year
were awarded To berries grown upon
these plants. A frequent hoeing or
stirring OF the ground between the
plants. is a decided assistance, in OBJ
| tanning either large berries, or large
crop. Plants may be- set out either IN
/ August or September, placing them
twelve or fifteen inches apart III the
rows.
Hudson, y. J.