STRAWBERRY. 51 



each, so that it shall be known when the fruit is ripe 

 whether the flowers are pistillate or perfect. When a 

 variety has been produced that promises well, it should be 

 carefully taken up and planted by itself, that its runners 

 ma*' have an opportunity of taking root without inter- 

 mingling with others. 



The plant may be removed just so soon as the character 

 of the fruit is determined upon, always choosing a wet 

 day if convenient ; if not, give the soil about the plant 

 a good soaking, and then remove it with as much soil ad- 

 hering as possible. Shade it a few days after removal to 

 prevent its wilting. 



I would caution the novice not to be too sanguine about 

 the value of new seedlings, because they will very often 

 appear much better the first season than ever after. 



A few years since I raised a large number of seedlings, 

 and when ripe, a committee of six very competent gentle- 

 men was appointed by the Farmers' Club of the Ameri- 

 can Institute to examine and report upon them. Seventy 

 varieties were marked and described as very promising 

 and worthy of further trial. Seventy beds were very 

 thoroughly prepared, and each original plant carefully 

 placed in the center of one of these beds. About a dozen 

 runners were allowed to grow from each plant, and all 

 others removed. The next season the same committee 

 examined them again, and they reduced the number to 

 seven. These were given more room and continued care 

 until another season, when the number was reduced to 

 three. 



I give this as the result of only one experiment ; others 

 might be given with similar results. It is a very easy 

 matter to originate new varieties, but to get one that shall 

 be superior, or even equal, to the best now in cultivation, 

 is not so readily accomplished as some may suppose. 



I would advise every one to try, because there is a 

 chance of producing one that will be better adapted to 



