except in the South, where the severe cold spell near the first of March in many cases killed it entirely. In the North rains were too copious at picking time in a few sections, the fruit consequently being soft and poorly flavored, and in some cases rotting in the patch.

Great progress continues to be made in the production of new seedlings, and critical field tests of old and new varieties are constantly being conducted by private individuals and the Experiment Stations.

Wilson. This variety has been prominent for some twenty-five years and is still quite popular for market. The theory of the "running out" of varieties by continual propagation has been in great measure refuted by actual experience with this famous sort. Mr. J. M. Smith, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, who is perhaps at the head of the market strawberry growers in this country, claims that this theory is a mistake, and that while others may prefer to grow newer kinds the Wilson pays him best of all and is fully as good every way as when it first came out. He thinks the cultivators neglect it and that all that it needs is thorough cultivation.

Crescent.-There is more fruit of this well-tried variety sent to our markets than of any other. It seems to do well almost everywhere. The plant is exceedingly vigorous and soon covers the ground if allowed to do so. Being imperfect in its flowers the planting of pollen-bearing varieties is necessary; but it will bear lightly without this provision, as the stamens are not entirely wanting. It is medium in size and conical in shape except in case of overgrown specimens. The color is scarlet and the flesh rather soft for long shipment. In flavr it is very good, but not as highly aromatic as some. With ordinary cultivation and another variety with perfect flowers near by (Cumberland is one of the best), no farmer need want for plenty of berries from the Crescent.

Bubach (pronounced Bu-baw).-Perhaps there is no other new variety at the present time which has so many good words said of it. It was originated by Mr. J. G. Bubach, of Princeton, Illinois, and by him was called his No. 5. It has been called Bubach's No. 5 by many persons to distinguish it from other varieties by the same originator bearing numbers instead of names. Sufficient trials of it have been made during about five years past to warrant reliable information concerning its merit; moreover, it has passed from the experiment grounds to the fields of the market grower. The plant is very robust and of hardy constitution. The flowers are wanting in stamens, and this imperfection makes necessary the adjacent planting of some perfect-flowered variety. However, this is not a serious objection, as the pollen is easily carried by insects and the wind from about every fifth row. The fruit is very large and inclined to be coxcombed in shape, which to my mind is an objection. The color is crimson and very attractive; the flesh dark, nearly to the center, and a cavity is found in very large specimens, but being firm the fruit ships well. The flavor is good but not of the highest quality. In season it is about medium. The yield of fruit under good cultivation is very heavy, and this characteristic added to its other good points makes it a very profitable variety in nearly all sections where the strawberry succeeds.

Banquet. This variety originated with Mr. J. R. Hawkins, of Mountainville, Orange County, New York, and promises to be one of the coming strawberries for home gardens and the fancy market,

provided the plant succeeds as well generally as where already tried. In 1880 Mr. Hawkins had a strawberry bed upon a hillside which was the natural home of the wild species, and during the season some plants of Minor's Prolific made their way among the wild plants of Fragaria Virginiana, growing upon the unplowed portion of the land. From the fruit of some of the Minor growing nearest the wild plants, he raised thirty or forty seedlings, and one of these yielded fruit of such excellence that the originator gave it this appropriate name. The plant is very thrifty and the flowers are perfect. Size of fruit medium, 1 by 14 inches, and very uniform; shape conical, rather elongated, never coxcombed; color a rich dark crimson, without tendency to lose color when over ripe; flesh firm, coloring to the center and ripening equally in all parts: quality very good; flavor peculiarly rich and pleasing, possessing in a marked degree the aroma of the wild berry. The stems hold the fruit well up from the ground, resembling Crescent in this regard. In season it is about medium. While the fruit has been tested and pronounced excellent by a number of competent pomologists, the variety has never been placed upon the market. The originator preferred to test it fully and perhaps improve it by careful selection before offering plants for sale.

The illustration (see Plate IV) was made from one of many samples sent by Mr. Hawkins from his place in New York. It is not exaggerated in any respect. Of all the strawberries with which I am acquainted this is one of the very choicest in flavor and of general good qualities. I recommend it for extensive trial.

Parker Earle.-This is the name of a new strawberry, originated by Mr. J. Nimon, of Denison, Texas, and offered to the public by Prof. T. V. Munson of the same place. The plant is very vigorous and makes runners very freely. It is abundantly productive and seems well suited to the extremes of temperature which our country affords. The root system is excellent and the flowers perfect. It has been tried in a sinall way in many States and seems to meet with general favor. The fruit is not large, but fully large enough and of quite uniform size. Specimens rarely exceed 1 inches or fall below 1 inch in length. Its shape is decidedly conical, usually necked and regular in outline, not being coxcomb-shaped; color brilliant scarlet, but not dark, and evenly distributed; flesh firm and solid to the center, having no internal cavity. It is said to carry well to distant markets. Its flavor is mild and yet not lacking in high character. The name was given by Mr. Munson in honor of the president of the American Horticultural Society, and it is fitting that so good a fruit should be named for so distinguished a grower of strawberries.

THE GRAPE.

During this year the grape crop of the country was very heavy. In western New York there was an unusually large crop and the prices were fairly good. In a part of New Jersey the Rose Chafer (Macrodactylus subspinosus) almost ruined the crop by eating the flowers. The ravages of the black rot were generally kept in check by the copper solution remedies where they were used according to the directions of this Department. In California there was a most bountiful crop of grapes and very little damage by rains. The packing of raisins was larger than ever before and their quality was very good,