STRAvVBEKRY CULTURE. 143 



year 185S, I obtained a large number of plants; and if a premium bad been 

 ojftered for the largest collection of poor berries, I sbould certainly liave obtained 

 it. Subsequent trials with seeds taken indiscriminately proved equally worth- 

 less. Being determined to succeed, I adopted a method of my own. The re- 

 sult was that twenty-five per cent, of the plants produced varieties equal, if not 

 superior, to any I have ever seen, both in size and quality. I did not intend 

 to make known my experiments until after another year's trial, but the plants 

 have proved so well under the severest tests, both in their habits and hardiness, 

 that 1 feel confidence in expressing my belief that those who desire to raise 

 plants from seed can with ease produce something that will reward their efibrts. 



Tlie ground should be prepared as above described. Obtain plants (young 

 sets) from the best varieties, and, if possible, of different species. In every in- 

 stance possible, plant pistillate with staminate, in pairs, twenty inches distant, 

 with their roots interlaced with one another. Cultivate them in the usual way 

 the first season, not allowing them to bear fruit or runners. In the second sea- 

 sou they will send forth their foot-stalks Avith an abundance of fruit blossoms, 

 and when it is ascertained that the blossoms indicate a perfect set, with a pair 

 of scissors clip off about one-third of their number — i. e., those that indicate 

 weakness. Leave an equal number on both plants — early varieties will show 

 blossoms first* — and when in this state proceed, with the feather part of a 

 goose-quill, to agitate the plants by striking moderately one against the other. 

 This operation should be repeated morning and evening, and at mid-day, dur- 

 ing dry or rainy weather, until they have formed their fruit. To be doubly 

 sure and certain of a cross, it is well to have a Avire cover, similar to those used 

 for covering dishes, only that the netting (or meshes) are more open — enough 

 so to keep off the bees while the plants are in blossom — and when the berries 

 are formed remove them entirely. 



The fruit should be suffered to remain on the vines until fully ripe, v/hen it 

 must be gathered and immediately mixed with enough common dry sand to 

 cause the whole mass to appear like a paste. Then place it on earthen dishes, 

 inside a well-aired house, where it is to remain some days, to undergo a 

 sort of fermentation in the pulp, and become cured, as it is termed. I imagine 

 they require a certain time of rest, which is indicated by the whole mass being 

 sufficiently dry to crumble to pieces in the hands. At this time the seed 

 should be sown with the sand, in drills or broadcast, in a situation partly 

 shaded, (not by trbes,) and with a sifter cover the whole surface of the bed 

 from an eighth to a quarter of an inch deep. The season, at the time of 

 planting, is generally dry, and the de^vs of night will not afford moisture enough 

 for the whole day. This, with the action of the sun, will soon dry the surface 

 and retard early vegetation ; therefore it is absolutely necessary to sprinkle the 

 bed with a watering-pot every evening after sunset. 



If the bed is made in an open exposure in the ground, it will be necessary to 

 raise a board edgewise, six or eight inches high, at each end of the bed, and 

 lay over it some laths, or long strips, two inches broad and about three inches 

 apart. Thus we admit light and air during the whole day. The shade from 

 these coverings changes, as the sun rises, till sunset. At night they may be 

 removed to one side, to admit the full effect of the dews, or be left off' in cloudy 

 and rainy weather. The seeds will continue to germinate until cold weather, 

 and frequently the first plants will rise, with their roots almost out of the 

 gro^ind. These must be pressed carefully down with the fingers, and a little 

 soil added to them. The earth-worms are apt to infest the seed-bed, and throw 

 the plants out of the ground. To get rid of them, holes about one foot deep 



* According to Mr. Peabody's theory we secui'e a point, at least. He seems convinced 

 tlmt the staminate blossom sheds its pollen oq the ends of the unopened pistillate, which 

 causes immediate impregnation. — See appendix, R. G. Pardee's Strawberry Manual, page 96. 



