It may be remembered that a Committee from the American Institute last year examined Mr. Fuller's Seedling Strawberries, and selected some eight or ten of the best for further trial. The same committee have examined them again this season, and reduced the number to three, which they have recommended to be sent out. In arriving at a decision, the committee were governed by considerations having reference to earliness, size, firmness, quality, productiveness, vigor of plants, etc.; in other words, the greatest number of desirable points, rejecting all, however, that were defective in the leading point of good quality. No. 20, for example, though up to the mark in other respects, was thrown out for want of flavor. After several examinations, the committee finally fixed upon Nos. 42,7, and 53 as the best, the difference in quality between Nos, 42 and 7 being small. No. 42, however, is firmer fleshed and more juicy, and probably a little earlier, though both are early kinds. Both of these are large and productive kinds, and robust growers. No. 53 is a later variety. It was its lateness alone which induced the committee to place it third on the list; for in other respects it is really a better fruit than either of the above.

If it were a little earlier, or even somewhat later than it is, its value would be much enhanced. As it is, however, it will take its place among the best. Among the Seedlings was one of remarkable size; but, unfortunately, it possessed a degree of acidity which insured its prompt rejection. Another, was a very high flavored, juicy berry, but deficient in size and some other points. Taking the whole collection together, there was more than the usual average of good fruit We have made a "portrait" of one of these seedlings, and shall give it as a frontispiece. The following is a description of each:

No. 42

Fruit, very large. Color, scarlet. Form, conical, sometimes flattened. Flesh, white, firm, and moderately juicy. Flower, hermaphrodite. Seed, dark brown, prominent. Calyx, large, moderately persistent. Flavor, very good. Quality, very good, if not best. The foliage is large and coarsely serrated; fruit stalk stout Very productive.

No. 7

Fruit, very large. Color, crimson scarlet. Form, irregularly conical. Flesh, light red, moderately firm, and somewhat juicy. Flower, pistillate. Seed, dark brown, imbedded. Calyx, large, non-persistent Flavor, very good. Qualify, very good. The foliage is large, of good substance, coarsely serrated; fruit stalk stout Very productive.

No. 58

Fruit, large. Color, light scarlet Form, conical. Flesh, white, solid, and juicy. Flower, hermaphrodite. Seed, brown, prominent Calyx, large, persistent Flavor, very good. Quality, best Foliage large, thick, and coarsely serrated. Very productive.