It has become the fashion of late years for some one who knows to see nothing but old kinds of fruits in popular new varieties. Out of so many old forms disappearing, it would be remarkable if some of the seedlings did not occasionally resemble some of the original kinds. Indeed we are confident that there is often no difference between new forms and kinds popular a quarter of a century or more ago. But what signifies this? If the old ones get enervated, subject to disease, and dwindle out generally, a seedling with health is desirable, even though the old form should be exactly reproduced. We would give a great deal if some one would give us a seedling of the old Butter pear or White Doyenne, which would not crack, even though every lineament of the parent were reproduced. Meech's Quince is going through this ordeal, some good judges seeing no difference between fruit of this and the Champion. This may all be, and yet the new introduction be a very desirable kind. The proper place to decide the value of a new introduction should be in the field among the growing plants, and in comparison with the kinds it is believed to resemble growing near it, rather than by a plate of fruit at a country fair.

Miner's Prolific Strawberry - has been found at the Agricultural College of Michigan, a wonderful berry as grown here on rich soil and with good culture; productive, large, firm, quality good. It equaled the Sharpless in size. During the first two or three pickings the berries had green tips similar to the Bidwell, but these colored up well as the main pickings began.