IN this region, the past season has been unusually favorable for horticultural experi-ments, as we have had abundance of rain and no lack of heat or sunshine.

I had this spring eight varieties of strawberries under cultivation in the same Boil, and receiving nearly the same treatment, being mulched winter and summer, and kept scrupulously clean of weeds.

Hovey's Seedling and Ladyfinger, intermingled and grown in matted rows, yielded a fair crop of delicious berries, but as this was their fourth season, I observed a decline both in the size and quantity, and therefore turned them under.

Wilson's Albany Seedling, planted in the spring of 1867, gave a very handsome yield in 1868. The next year it grew spindling and bore only half a crop. Although treated with the greatest attention, its decadence was more marked this season, and I obliterated the bed. A neighbor makes a similar report, and we have agreed to discard this variety as a failure here.

The Philadelphia, in a matted bed and with less attention than the other varieties, grew lustily and yielded a plentiful crop of large and well-flavored berries. I have extended this bed and shall cultivate it in matted rows hereafter.

Jueunda, grown from Knox's potted plants, set out in the spring of 1869, has borne about two dozen berries, and at the end of this season the vines had nearly perished. I transferred the remains of the plants to another carefully prepared bed, to give it another chance, but I apprehend it will not grow here.

Killers Goliah and Triomphe de Gand, from the same source, and set out at the same time, have grown a little better, but have as yet done nothing to justify their reputation.

The Agriculturist, grown in hills, is beyond all comparison superior to any variety I have tried, for thrifty growth, productiveness, and the large size, firmness, and high ffavor of its fruit. Our berry eaters are unanimous in giving it precedence over any strawberry we raise, especially for its superior flavor, and I have gathered gallons with none less than an inch in diameter.

My plantation has been extended each season, and this year the three-year old hills gave the heaviest fruitage, and those in their second year their largest berries.

After the regular crop in June, this bed slept through July and commenced blooming and fruiting again about the first of August, and has continued to blossom and mature small quantities of fruit up to this date, November 8th. From this record, I think it will be conceded that most disputes about the merits of different varieties of strawberries are questions referable to soil and climate, and that I, at least, have the right strawberry in the right place. I am the more impressed with this belief from the fact, that when I planted my Agriculturists, four years ago, a very skillful amateur, living not fifty miles off, told me I was wasting my time and labor, as he had persisted in trying to grow them for several years, putting both zeal and experience into the effort, and had utterly failed.

From my strawberry experiences I have concluded that an amateur should, with due regard to flavor and productiveness, cultivate only the largest sized berries, and always in hills or rows. Especially, if he undertakes to do the picking himself, will the wisdom of these conclusions be manifest.