STKAWBEERY. 83 



past, picking up here and there a stray word or line that 

 informs us that some of the fruits now cultivated by us 

 were also known to those of former ages. 



The number of such old time fruits is quite limited, and 

 most of them are of quality so inferior that we would 

 hardly be willing to exchange those of our time for the 

 productions of any period. 



The Strawberry was probably not cultivated in olden 

 times, as it is scarcely mentioned by the Roman writers on 

 agriculture. Some who are most explicit in other matters 

 pertaining to fruit-culture do not mention it, while Pliny, 

 Ovid and Virgil only casually refer to it, and this reference 

 is not for the purpose of aiding its culture. 



From a few lines in one of those old works, we infer that 

 the children in ancient times had similar tastes to those of 

 the present, and that they found no day so hot, or hill so 

 steep, as to deter them fro en seeking the little gems in the 

 tall grass, or through bramble and wood. We, who were 

 so fortunate as to spend our youthful days in the country, 

 can appreciate the following lines of Virgil, as translated 

 by Warton, as they touch a heart-string whose vibrations 

 send memory back to joyful days in the past : 



" Ye boys that gather flowers and strawberries, 

 Lo, hid within the grass a serpent lies." 



We learn from the ancient writers nothing in relation to 

 Strawberry culture that is of any practical value. We are, 

 therefore, compelled to turn to those of modern times for 

 any reliable information. 



There are facts connected with the history of the Straw- 

 berry that it is important for us to know. 



For instance, from what country, climate or situation 

 were certain species derived ? If a species came originally 

 from a very warm country, it is doubtful if it will ever be 

 10 well adapted to a cold latitude as one obtained from a 

 climate similar to the one in which it is to be cultivated. 



By hybridizing, we may so intermingle species that it 



