1879.] REMARKS ON FRUIT-CULTURE. 321 



REMARKS ON FRUIT-CULTURE. 



^Notwithstanding the books that have been written, and the garden- 

 ing periodicals that have been filled weekly with information upon 

 fruit-forcing and fruit-growing generally, there still seems to be a 

 great difference of opinion among cultivators upon the subject. Not 

 only is this the case with amateurs and persons who might be con- 

 sidered as inexperienced, but we also find fruit-growers of some 

 repute differing upon the most fundamental principles of fruit- 

 culture. 



Now, in advocating the claims of any particular system of fruit- 

 culture or anything else, if the " principle " is wrong the whole fabric 

 of the argument must necessarily fall to the ground ; and in the 

 same way if any particular variety or varieties of fruit be extolled 

 by any grower upon the narrow grounds that it has answered his 

 own purpose, this theory, too, must of necessity evaporate in the 

 presence of more accurate facts and results which have been proved 

 beyond the region of mere assertions. I need hardly say that I refer 

 to a recent discussion in a contemporary upon the relative merits of 

 certain varieties of Strawberries, as well as to certain allegations that 

 have been made regarding Vine-leaves being a sure proof of the 

 quality of the crop. 



As regards the Strawberries — the successful forcing of which re- 

 quires thought, skill, and strict attention — I am ready to yield to 

 every grower what I claim for myself — viz., that of knowing my own 

 wants and circumstances best, and therefore that I have a right to 

 choose for myself whatever course seems best to adopt; but the aspect 

 of affairs is altered if I recommend for general cultivation what is in 

 fact but a foible of my own. 



The varieties that have been pitted against each other are Black 

 Prince and Sir Charles Napier. I dismiss the former, because it is 

 not worth growing after February, either for home consumption or for 

 market purposes. The reason and the proof go together. The reason 

 we do not grow Black Prince is because we can get three times the 

 weight of fruit, of larger size and finer appearance, from the same 

 space of Yicomtesse Hericart de Thury. We cannot ignore weight 

 and quality any more than we can ignore the fact that Black Prince 

 is simply a Strawberry for a warm outdoor border, and that it is a 

 useful variety for preserving. 



As to the merits of Sir Charles Napier, I have heard a good many 

 opinions expressed about them. Some people object to its "acidity," 

 -others like it for a change, but call it a third-rate or market kind. I 

 am, however, disposed to think that the principal objection some 



