AN ENCYCLOPADIA 
OF HORTICULTURE. 509 
Strata—continued. 
be the result of the sand, or other substances of which 
rocks are made, having been at first strewed over the 
surface, on the bottom of seas, lakes, or rivers, less 
often by wind on the dry land. Gradually, the layers 
were pressed down by new layers above them, and, at 
last, often became converted into stone. The age of the 
Strata can often be determined from fossils of animals 
‘and plants that have been covered up in the soft mud, 
and turned into stone in it. The rocks that do not 
show Strata have been exposed to great heat, sufficient 
to melt them, so that any marks of Strata in them 
have disappeared where they once existed, e.g., in crys- 
talline limestone. 
STRATIOTES (from stratiotes, a soldier; in refer- 
ence to the sword-shaped leaves). Water Soldier. ORD. 
Hydrocharidee. A monotypic genus. The species, 
S. aloides (Crab’s-claw, Freshwater Soldier, &c.), is a 
stoloniferous, submerged, aquatic herb, inhabiting Europe 
Fic. 543. STRATIOTES ALOIDES. 
(Britain), &c., and resembling a miniature Aloe (see 
Fig. 543). Owing to the great rapidity with which it 
increases, its introduction into ornamental waters is not 
recommended. 
STRATUM. A layer of tissue. See also Strata. 
STRAVADIUM (from isjeria samstravadi, the Mala- 
bar name of one of the species). Orp. Myrtacee. A 
small genus (about five species) of ornamental trees, now 
included, by Bentham and Hooker, under Barringtonia. 
Calyx three or four-cleft, with imbricated lobes. The two 
best-known species are described below. They require a 
compost of two parts loam, one peat, and one sand. 
Water should be given in abundance, and a moist atmos- 7 
phere at all times maintained, the temperature ranging 
from 65deg. to 95deg. Propagated by cuttings, with 
leaves intact, obtained from the lateral shoots; these, 
taken off at a joint when the wood is ripe, and inserted 
in-sand, with a hand glass over them, root readily. 
| 
Stravadium—continued. 
S. album (white). f. white, in very long, pendulous racemes 
June. fr. ovate. L Mop eager acuminate, obsoletely 
serrulated. h. 20ft. Polynesia, &c., 1850. 
S. rubrum (red). fl. red, in very long, pendulous racemes. 
June. fr. acutely four-angled. J. cuneate-oblong, acuminate, 
obsoletely serrulated. h. 20ft. to 30ft. East Indies, 1822. Syn. 
Barringtonia acutangula. 
STRAW. A term applied to the above-ground stems 
of Grasses. 
STRAW. This is of great value in gardens, as 
coverings for protecting plants and vegetable crops 
against frost; also for placing beneath Strawberry-plants 
in summer, to keep the fruits from being splashed and 
soiled by rain. Straw used for covering up potatoes, 
&c., during winter should be clean and dry; it should 
also be of a similar description, if procurable, for most 
purposes of protection. When obtained from stables, 
in the form of litter, the best may be shaken out, 
if necessary, and used for surrounding and covering up 
frames during severe weather; the 
value of the remainder, for mixing 
with leaves to form hotbeds and 
manure, is well known. 
STRAWBERRY (Fragaria). 
Several species of Fragaria have 
contributed towards the production 
of the numerous kinds of cultivated 
Strawberries. There are few gar- 
dens in which some plants are 
not grown, the fruit being one fa- 
voured by everybody, and always 
held in high esteem. Forced Straw- 
berries are generally the first new 
fruits of the year, and the operation 
of preparing and forcing plants is 
always one of the most important 
garden operations. Itis well known 
that the fruits are used, when ripe, 
in various ways, principally for 
dessert, but also for cooking and 
preserving. ; 
Propagation. This is effected by 
seeds, occasionally by division, but 
most generally by runners. The 
varieties are preserved true by the 
latter method ; and, with some few 
exceptions, runners are produced 
in abundance during summer. The 
Alpine Strawberries, however, are 
best raised annually from seed, or, 
at least, the plants should not be 
kept more than two years. Seeds 
of these, and also of any others, if 
it is desired to raise plants by that 
method, should be saved from large, 
well-ripened fruits in summer. The fruits may be crushed, 
and dried on thick paper, or the pulp may be separated 
from the seeds by means of water, the seeds being after- 
wards dried. Only those which are firm and sink in the 
water should be kept; others that float on the surface 
are useless. Sow at once, or dry the seed and preserve it 
until the following spring. At the latter part of summer, 
a seed-bed, in a sheltered place outside, will answer well, 
if watering is carefully attended to. Pots and boxes are 
also suitable. Where a little warmth is at command, 
such as a gentle hotbed, the seedlings may be brought 
on rapidly to a size large enough for planting out 
where they are intended to fruit. Seedling Strawberries, 
sown early in the season, bear a little late fruit the same 
year, but a much better crop the year following. If any 
runners appear which are not required, they should be 
cut off at an early stage. Increasing by means of divi- 
sion is sometimes practised when runners cannot be 
secured, but it is not to be recommended, as divided 
