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the working of bees and other insects. It may be stated, however, that 

 the pistillate varieties are chiefly of American origin, and that the 

 European kinds generally cultivated are, as a rule, perfect. Therefore, 

 cultivators in Australasia need have but little trouble as to the sexuality 

 of their Strawberries. 



CULTIVATION. 



Climate and Soil. Strawberries may be grown successfully in many 

 parts of Australasia, but they are better adapted for the cooler regions 

 than the warmer districts. Fruit produced in cool districts is generally 

 superior in flavour to that raised in warmer localities. It is generally 

 admitted that Strawberries raised in the north of England have, as a rule, 

 a better flavour than those produced in the southern counties. Then, 

 again, fruit raised in Scotland is popularly supposed to be richer in 

 flavour than the produce of England. The Strawberry is a fruit specially 

 well adapted for cool elevated regions and the slopes of mountain ranges. 

 It will, however, thrive fairly \vell in all but tropical and semi-tropical 

 regions in Australasia. Strawberries may be grown successfully in any 

 ordinary good soil, but they thrive to the greatest perfection in a ri ch 

 deep sandy loam. Some varieties will do better in light soils than other's, 

 but their peculiarities in this respect can only be ascertained by experience. 

 The time of fruiting will be influenced to some extent by the aspect of 

 the ground in cool districts, and growers by this means may accelerate 

 or retard their crops by several weeks. For early crops the most 

 favourable situation is a slope having an aspect that is northerly, so that 

 the plants will have the full power of the sun. On the other hand, if 

 late fruit is required, a southern slope upon which there is comparatively 

 little sunshine is the best aspect. In Europe it is a common practice 

 when early fruit is required to make special beds slope so a* to get as 

 much sunshine as possible. 



Preparing the. Ground.- In preparing land for Strawberries deep 

 cultivation is essential, and more especially in stiff soils. When they are 

 able to do so the roots will penetrate to a considerable depth in search of 

 food and moisture. It is not an uncommon thing in loose soil to find 

 roots from two to three feet below the surface. Deep rooting is a great 

 advantage, as when the roots are well below the surface the plants are less 

 liable to suffer from the effects of drought, and at the same time have a 

 larger area to extract their food from. In preparing land for Strawberries 

 drainage must always be provided for when necessary, as the plants are 

 liable to suffer from the saturation of their roots, and more especially 

 when they are deep in the ground. 



J J l-ntiny. The most favourable time for planting is in the autumn, as 

 soon as possible after the dry season has broken up. At this period of 

 the year the ground contains a great deal of heat, growth is active, and 

 the young plants are able to make good headway before the winter sets 

 in. During the winter they continue to make good progress, and are 

 able to carry full crops the next fruiting season. Though planting may 

 be done during the winter or spring, the returns the first "season will not 



