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StratobtiTits ixi^ tlvcir MkxL 



fllE discussion of the Strawberry question, which has occupied the pages of 

 agricultural and horticultural journals so largely for a few years past, has been 

 the means, directly and indirectly, of advancing materially the cultivation of that 

 fruit. We find ample evidence of this in the more abundant supply of our markets, 

 and in the production of a large number of seedling varieties. Recent letters from 

 correspondents in all parts of the country, as well as the reports of late exhibitions, 

 all testify to the very general interest which is felt on the subject, and the progress 

 that has been made. But, after all, we are constrained to say that our cultivation is 

 yet very indifferent. The size and appearance of the great bulk of fruit offered in 

 market, convince us of this. Those who know how to cultivate, are in many cases 

 slovenly, or act upon the principle that good culture will not pay ; while there are 

 many who fail for the want of correct information. We have now before us a large 

 number of inquiries on the subject. One wants to know how to prepare the soil ; 

 another, when to plant ; and another, hoio to plant. Several correspondents who are 

 well informed on the subject of cultivation, ask us to give them the names of the best 

 perfect-flowering sorts, as they are tired of keeping separate the staminate and pistil- 

 late varieties. We have therefore thought it might be well to offer a few hints which 

 will serve as a general answer. 



We will state here, at the outset, that to cultivate the Strawberry successfully, is 

 but a simple matter. To grow large, handsome, fine-flavored fruit in abundance, it is 

 not necessary to employ a chemist to furnish us with a long list of specifics, nor even 

 to employ a gardener by profession who can boast of long years of experience. Any 

 one who can manage a crop of Corn or Potatoes, can, if he will, grow Strawberries. 

 We say this much by way of encouragement, because so much has been said in 

 regard to various methods of culture, and various applications and specifics, that some 

 people have become persuaded that a vast deal of learning and experience is necessary 

 to produce large crops of Strawberries. 



Judging from what we have seen, we believe that the great cause of failure is 

 negligence. The Strawberry plant — not like a tree, which, when once set in its 

 place, remains there — is constantly sending out shoots (runners) in all directions, 

 taking possession of the ground rapidly around the parent plant. In a short time, 

 therefore, unless these runners are kept in check, the ground becomes entirely occu- 

 pied with plants, the parent plants become exhausted, and the ground can no longer 

 be stirred or kept in such a condition as is necessary to sustain their vigor. The 

 result is, the ground is covered with a mass of starved and weakly plants, choking up 

 each other in a hard, uncultivated soil, and producing a sparse crop of small, insipid 

 berries, that dry up on their stalks before they are ripe, unless rain happens to fall 

 day. 

 constant stirring of the soil around the plants, is one thing which in our 



August 1, 1854. h 1 



