A FEW NOTES ON THE STRAWRERRY 



the tent, thus forming a group with a center, and two sides — we are quite sure would be 

 much admired, and would impart an entirely new feature to our exhibitions. Grouped 

 artistically with mixed plants, some remarkable for their flowers, others for their noble foli- 

 age, and a third section, as the Ferns, for their graceful habit, a very striking effect might 

 be produced; and, introduced upon the same principle into a conservatory or ball-room, 

 we cannot see that they would be out of place. To keep up the interest of an exhibition 

 tent, it is necessary that the plants should not all be seen on first entering the tent, for 

 though the first effect may be very pleasing, the eye gets restless, and seeks a change long 

 before one can be met with; but if plants of an opposite and striking character were intro- 

 duced in these or similar stands, we are quite sure the appearance of the tents would be 

 greatly improved, and visitors would not fail to appreciate the improvement. 



A FEW NOTES ON THE STRAWBERRY. 



BY R. G. PARDEE, PALMYRA, N. Y. 



Since a brief article I sent to the Horticulturist for December appeared, I have receiv- 

 ed numerous letters of interest and inquiry, on the nature and culture of the strawberry, 

 from amateurs, both in this state and New-England; and it has occured to me that some 

 of our unsettled queries on the subject, might be appropriately referred to the public 

 through your columns. 



First. What varieties of the strawberry are uniformly reliable in our variations of soil 

 and climate? An important inquir)% truly.. Are there any kinds which will prove 

 as reliable as the Rhode Island Greening, or Early Harvest Apple, or White Doyenne 

 Pear, or Crawford's Early Peach, for New-York?. That some kinds are vastly more cer- 

 tain of a crop than others, any observer will admit. Among our finest berries, can we 

 not say that Burr's New Pine is as reliable for a crop in all places in our state, as the 

 Rhode Island Greening. But Avhat others have been so generally and widely tested, and 

 proved satisfactory. Some will say the Large Early Scarlet, but our friends from Geneva 

 assure me that my remarks with regard to this variety hold true there; they say " the 

 amount of fruit is small and very transient." I have a hope that Black Prince will prove 

 reliable everywhere, but it perhaps, has not yet been sufficiently tested. Hovey's is very 

 fickle in many places. Many other kinds should be tested everywhere, and so tested that 

 their failure shall not be caused by neglect. 



Second. Is the flavor of strawberries materially changed by different locations and 

 s,oils? The testimony of men of taste in difTerent places, seems to indicate this. If not 

 so, why does Mr. Downing pronounce the Black Prince of the highest flavor, while our 

 friends in Rochester pronounce it insipid, or poor flavor.* It is quite certain that both 

 parties know well what constitutes superior flavor in the strawberry. It appears quite 

 probable, therefore, that the Black Prince has degenerated from Mr. Downing's garden, 

 or it has been unfavorably affected by soil or climate at the west. In Palmyra we do not 

 call Black Prince, Hovey's, &c., poor flavor, still we cannot compare them with the deli- 

 cious flavor of Burr's New Pine, Svvainstone Seedling, &c. 



Is it after all necessary, in order to productiveness, to mingle staminate with pistillate 

 plants? It would neither be modest or sensible in me to express a negative to this ques- 



If our correspondent will examine the discussion on Strawberries in the Report of the Pomolog-ioal Con„ 

 New-York, last year, he will Knd that this strawberry is Jickle in flavor. It is always very fine here, and we 

 generally in stiff soils, but is quite insipid hi many ligiit soils. Ed. 



