STRAWBERRIES. 77 



cultivated. The best results are obtained under glass, 

 with or without stove heat. Good samples that come to 

 market within just a week or two before the out-door 

 ones, are often more sought after than a month or so 

 earlier, when the weather is colder, and when there is 

 not such a general town demand from various " society " 

 demands. There is no reason why the market should not 

 be supplied in succession, from the middle of June to the 

 end of August, if sorts adapted to the district can be 

 gradually selected. 



The strawberry needs a damp, moist air, and therefore, 

 some of the best samples of British Queens (our A 1 

 sort), are got from the borders of the Essex marshes, 

 where dew and mists abound. 



This last-named, and other first-class fruits of the 

 same delicate type, are particular as to situation, and are 

 rarely cultivated by the largest Kentish growers, who 

 are farming light or gravelly soils, 



But wherever it does well, the British Queen should 

 be largely planted, as it is a prolific and very popular 

 choice sort. 



Sir Joseph Paxton is at present the popular favourite 

 for both the farmer and the general British public. 

 Owing to its taking appearance and its size, it will sell 

 better than much choicer fruits for flavour, and as the 

 Paxton is one of the best of croppers, and " travels " 

 better than most kinds, it is no wonder that it is gradu- 

 ally superseding, with the untrained popular taste, other 

 mid-season kinds of more merit, according to the con- 

 noisseur. Although of such sterling quality, it will not 

 pay so well, in the average of years, as the best early 

 kinds, whilst it is desirable, where there is a continuous 

 supply to keep up, to select also some few of the best 



