STRAWBERRIES. 79 



a first-class variety in the Western Counties. Crescent 

 Seedling (early), Jubilee (late), Sharpless, Dr. Hogg, 

 A. F. Barren, Stirling Castle, Marguerita, and Auguste 

 Nicaise, are good cropping varieties, but not so well 

 known. Oxonian, Helen Grloede, and Loxford Hall 

 Seedling are also favourite late sorts. Some of the 

 Alpine improved kinds might also be tried for autumn 

 bearing. 



Every beginner with glass culture should first care- 

 fully study the methods of practical men. 



At the first Strawberry Conference, held in London 

 at the Aquarium, some good papers on strawberry 

 culture were read, and "these have been printed in the 

 gardening papers during July, 1890. Crescent Seedling 

 and Noble were considered the best early sorts, especially 

 the latter. 



Mr. Sharpe, of Virginia Water, is growing abundant 

 crops on dark sandy soil, without manure. There are 

 several districts in Essex where the finest qualities of 

 British Queens are produced by both spade and plough 

 cultivation, and liberal spring dressings. To prevent 

 grit, long stable manure is used, which gets well washed 

 and sweetened before the fruit matures. 



