296 NEW AMERICAN ORCHARDIST. 



entire, of a fine dark green above, and glaucous below, 

 and from four to six inches long. The fertile and barren 

 blossoms are produced on different trees. The fruit, which 

 is abundant, is round, of the size of a small plum, of a 

 reddish color, and fleshy ; they contain six or eight small 

 stones; their taste is very astringent, but when ameliorated 

 by frost, they are sweet and agreeable. The fruit, when 

 bruised and fermented, produces brandy, which becomes 

 good by age. This tree is raised from the seeds, which 

 should be planted in autumn; and fine varieties may be 

 propagated by inoculating or grafting. 



STRAWBERRY.- (Fragaria.) 



The strawberry is a low, creeping, perennial plant ; a 

 native of the old continent ; also of America, where it is 

 found growing in a wild state. Botanists consider them a 

 genus comprehending three species. 



USES. The strawberry is a fragrant and delicious 

 dessert fruit, whether eaten alone or with cream and sugar ; 

 and forms a fine preserve. It is deemed very whole- 

 some, as it never causes acidity on the stomach. Boer- 

 have considered its use as one of the principal reme- 

 dies in putrid fever ; and Hoffman asserts that he has 

 known consumptive people cured by the use of strawber- 

 ries. It is also asserted that by eating plentifully of straw- 

 berries, rheumatic complaints are averted or cured. Thny 

 also dissolve tartarous incrustations on the teeth. And 

 lastly, Phillips asserts that the Pine strawberries make an 

 agreeable dessert wine, as rich as Mountain, but possessing 

 greater fragrance and acidity. 



VARIETIES. 



Mr. Barnet [see Vol. vr. of the Land. Hort. Trans.] has 

 divided strawberries into seven classes. Mr. Lindley has 

 adopted the same course. And in describing the size of 

 the fruit, I shall have reference to the general size of the 

 particular class. I have adopted the same system. 



