152 THE FLORIST. 



terraced bank facing the north, is a good place for them, or even in the 

 shade of trees, though not immediately under them, would be better, 

 perhaps, than fully exposed. In the garden of one cultivator, I found 

 them bearing abundantly thus situated, under the partial shade of Pear 

 trees, trained en quenouille, on the borders of the walks. In the 

 gardens of the Luxembourg, I saw nearly a quarter of an acre planted 

 out in rows, three feet apart, and a row of Dahlias between every other 

 row, the alternate spaces answering for walks. The Dahlias afforded 

 some shade, and the plants were loaded with fruit. Would it not be 

 worth while to introduce this Strawberry into cultivation for the supply 

 of our markets in autumn ? At all events it might prove to be worthy 

 the attention of all private growers who are fond of this wholesome 

 fruit, coming in as it does when ordinary varieties are unobtainable, 

 and thus keeping up a succession nearly the entire year round. A 

 moderately rich soil will be most certain to produce the best crop ; 

 occasional waterings would also be requisite, using, at times, guano 

 water. 



To the zealous cultivator, the Alpine Strawberry, both white and red, 

 offers the chance of great improvement : perhaps, by fertilisation with 

 the large sorts, greater size may be obtained and its successive bearing 

 retained : the experiment might at least be tried, even if success should 

 not attend it. A small packet of seed would produce a large number 

 of plants. S. F. 



FRUIT CULTURE.— No. XIII. 

 BY MR. POWELL, FROG MORE. 



{Continued from page 20.) 

 Small Fruits. 



Currant. — This fruit is a native of Britain and the northern parts 

 of Europe ; it therefore is one of our hardiest fruit-bearing shrubs ; 

 indeed, a failure in the crop of this fruit is of rare occurrence. Its 

 culture is extremely easy, and the many uses in cookery and 

 confectionery to which it may be applied, also in the manufacture of 

 wine, render it a fruit of considerable importance. 



The Currant, like other small fruit, is vastly improved by cultivation. 

 The original wild species from whence it sprung, produces only small 

 and sour fruit. Our large garden varieties, we now cultivate, is the 

 result of raising seedlings, for which we are partly indebted to the 

 Dutch gardeners. The Dutch varieties are among the best, and some 

 excellent kinds have also been raised in this country. As before stated, 

 nothing is easier to cultivate, or more readily increased than this fruit ; 

 it will thrive and bear well in any common garden soil, which led to 

 the common practice of planting Currants, as well as other small bush 

 fruit, by the side of the principal walks in small kitchen gardens, a 

 plan not to be advised in any way, as it greatly interferes with the 

 kitchen cropping, and the trees often meet with rough usage when so 

 situated. Therefore, it is the best plan to select a separate piece of 



