196 FLORIDA FRUITS SMALL FRUITS. 



has succeeded and who has failed, and what fertilizers were 

 used. Stable manure, if free from stubble, is considered 

 one of the very best foods for the strawberry ; also cow- 

 chips and muck, the latter applied with more active mate- 

 rial. Bone dust, cotton-seed meal, and wood ashes are 

 also of great value ; and here is something vouched for by 

 good authority as being splendidly effective : 



" Fill a half hogshead with water, and put into it one 

 quarter of a pound of ammonia, and the same amount of 

 niter. When the plants are blossoming sprinkle them 

 with this solution at evening, twice a week, until the fruit 

 is nearly full size. The result will be double the amount 

 of fruit." 



Never use lime or land plaster, as they are poisonous to 

 the strawberry. Do not forget this. 



And now as to the varieties best suited to our soil and 

 climate. 



Upon this point there is a wide diversity of opinion, 

 owing, doubtless, to the difference in culture and soil in 

 the several localities, which, as we have seen, exercise a 

 powerful influence on the strawberry, both in quality and 

 quantity of fruit. 



We would advise every one intending to embark in 

 strawberry culture to set aside a small piece of ground for 

 experiment, and to plant therein a dozen plants or more 

 of every variety that seems desirable or likely to prove 

 profitable ; a couple of years' culture will show which to 

 retain and which to reject. 



At present the leading market variety is undoubtedly 

 the celebrated Charleston berry, Neunan's Prolific ; this is 

 a medium sized, aromatic berry, firm and sub-acid, and a 

 great bearer. At the same time we believe that there are 

 others which will eventually be recognized as superior. 



The Federal Point or Little Giant is a very fine, large 



