EUROPEAN STRAWBERRIES. 



Could not the peculiar flavor of the Hautboy be blended with some of the larger kinds I 

 have named. Yet I know not of one attempt to cross this strawberry with any of the 

 other kinds. A little consideration will suggest many other crosses which would beequal- 

 1}^ valuable — indeed I know of no fruit more capable of improvement than this, fine though 

 it be already. 



There are many small and delicious flavored sorts, whose good qualities may be combin- 

 ed with the large size, productiveness, and hardiness of others. This present time some 

 two or three English growers are before the public with new varieties. Mtatt advertises 

 one which he names " Cinquefolia," the distinguishing character being its having five 

 leaves on a stalk ; if this strawberry is first rate as regards flavor, size and productive- 

 ness, it may be useful; on these will its merits depend, as strawberry eaters will care but 

 little whether the leaves which nourished their delicious fruit, had three leaflets or five. 

 These remarks are not penned to lessen the value of Mr. Myatt's fruit, T being well aware 

 there is not a more respectable man in the trade in England, than Mr. Myatt; the straw- 

 berries and rhubarb which he has already sent out, are the best guarantee for the future. 

 But I do object to the legion of varieties of all sorts of fruits, and florist's flowers too, 

 which are continually forced upon the public notice; flowers which frequently are but a 

 repetition of older varieties, or differ so little that an ordinary observer could not distin- 

 guish them; and fruits, which, if they differ from older ones, in too many instances they 

 are far from equaling them. By all means let seedlings be raised, let new varieties be 

 brought into culture — but as we do the latter let us be convinced that they are superior to 

 older ones — if not superior, most certainly equal, and possessed of other good sterling qua- 

 lities to recommend them. 



In England they know of no such distinction as " staminates" and " pistillates." 

 There they are all hermaphrodites, if, perhaps, we except the old Hautboys, which are 

 very subject to become sterile. In forcing strawberries, when they are first introduced 

 into too violent a heat, sterility will be the consequence. Wh}' this difference between the 

 strawberries of this country and England.'' It cannot be over luxuriance of growth, as in 

 England they receive the very highest cultivation; we must look for another cause, which 

 I suspect we shall find in the climate. Upon this point, the following excellent remarks 

 from Dr. LiNDLEy, will not be out of place: 



" Those who would understand the philosophy of strawberry forcing, should begin at 

 the beginning, and first determine what it is they have to deal with. This can only be as- 

 certained by examining the young flower buds as they exist in the plant, when it makes 

 its first move towards growth. At that time they are collections of tiny scales, placed 

 over a small spongy center. By degrees they take on the forms of calyx, corolla, stamens, 

 and pistil. They form successively in the order in which they are named, the calyx first, 

 the pistil last. The calyx and corolla are the most simple, grow the quickest, and most 

 easily bear to be hastened; stamens require more time for growth; the pistil most of all. 

 When high temperature night and day, with abundance of moisture, and as much light as 

 February yields, are suddenly applied to the strawberry, it is compelled to grow, the pre- 

 determined parts advance, and, obedient to the influences which their nature cannot disre- 

 gard, the}' by degrees unfold; but how.^ The oldest parts, namel}', the calyx and corolla, 

 simple in their structure, and already advanced in their formation, suffer no injur}"^, but 

 appear in their usual state, arraying the blossom in gaj' apparel of white and green. The 

 next, however, the stamens, having less time to form, acquire perhaps their yellow color, 

 are powerless for their allotted office; while the pistil, the most complicated of 

 that which demands the longest period for its perfect formation, but which 



