162 THE STRAWBERRY. 



flavor. The plant grows vigorously and bears abundantly, con- 

 tinuing to ripen its fruit for four or five weeks. 



Wilson's Early. — This variety ripens early, and perfects its 

 entire crop in about two weeks. It seems to partake of the 

 character of the Dewberry, the canes occasionally taking root at 

 the tips. The fruit is very large, slightly pointed, deep black, 

 and quite firm. 



This variety was distributed by the Fruit Growers' Associ- 

 ation of Ontario to all its members in the spring of 1871, so that 

 its adaptedness to the climate of that Province will soon be 

 thoroughly tested. 



New Eochelle. — Lawton. — The climate is too severe for this 

 variety anywhere beyond the Peach region. "Within that limit 

 it grows well, and bears very large crops. The berries are very 

 large, deep black when fully ripe, and then it is soft, juicy, sweet, 

 and of pleasant flavor, but if gathered too soon, when it first be- 

 gins to get black, it is very sour and flavorless. Begins to ripen 

 early in August and continues for five or six weeks. 



THE STEAWBEREY. 



Strawberry plants do not always produce perfect flowers. 

 Some varieties produce flowers having only pistils and no sta- 

 mens, these are called pistillate sorts; others produce flowers 

 with both stamens and pistils, these are called hermaphrodite. 

 In some of the hermaphrodite varieties the number of stamens 

 is so few, or the development so imperfect, that there is not 

 sufficient poUen to fertilize all the seed vessels. When from 

 any cause there is no pollen to fall on the pistils, and thus 

 to give vitality to the seed germ, then the receptacle or berry 

 is not developed at all, and no strawberries are produced. 

 When there is not enough pollen to give a grain to each pistil, 

 then the seed germ at the base of that pistil is not vitalized, 

 and the portion of the berry forming the receptacle of that 

 particular seed does not grow to its proper size or attain its 

 true character, and when ^ny considerable number of them 



