THE STRA WBERR Y. 567 



semper-florens, and F. vesca of botanists. The Alpine and the Wood 

 strawberry differ chiefly in the form of the fruit, which in the Alpines is 

 conical, and in the Wood varieties, roundish. 1. The Red Alpine has 

 the largest fruit of its class, and bears abundantly in light, sandy, rich 

 soils, especially when liberally supplied with water in dry hot weather, 

 and continues producing from June to November. 2. The White Alpine 

 only differs from the preceding sort in having the fruit white, and the 

 flavour somewhat more delicate. 3. The Red Wood resembles the 

 preceding in colour and flavour ; but the fruit is smaller, and the plants 

 do not bear so long in succession. 4. The White Wood only differs 

 from the preceding in having the fruit white. To these may be added 

 such French varieties in this class as Blanche d'Orleans, Galland, 

 and Brune de Gilbert. 



Propagation, Soil, &c. All the sorts are propagated by runners, 

 but the Alpines are sometimes also increased by division and by seeds. 

 The runner plants are taken off when their roots are two or three 

 inches in length, which is generally the case in the last week of July, 

 or early in August. By some they are planted where they are finally 

 to remain, which is the best mode when there is abundance of ground 

 and a scarcity of hands ; and by others they are planted in nursery- 

 beds, a foot apart every way, where they remain till the end of 

 February or beginning of March following ; and they should then be 

 removed and planted with balls, by means of a trowel. When runner 

 plants are to be transplanted without receiving any check, they are 

 rooted in pots in the manner already described for preparing plants 

 for forcing. The soil for all the varieties, except Alpines, should be 

 a strong loam, well enriched with stable-dung ; and the best situation 

 for all of them is one which is open and fully exposed to the sun. 

 For the Alpines the soil should be lighter, and if the situation is a 

 walled border facing the east, the plants, by being kept cooler, will thrive 

 with less watering. Nevertheless, Alpines will thrive remarkably 

 well, and their fruit will have a higher flavour, in the most exposed 

 and sunny situation, provided they are abundantly supplied with 

 water. 



Culture. Though the strawberry, like most herbaceous perennials, 

 is found chiefly in woods and waste places, yet in a state of culture it 

 is found most productive of large high-flavoured fruit when grown in 

 the open garden in plantations freely exposed to the sun and air. The 

 plants are generally planted in rows, but sometimes in beds ; and they 

 are occasionally planted as edgings to gravel-walks. In this latter 

 mode they bear well : the gravel of the walk containing moisture and 

 its surface reflecting heat, while nutriment is obtained from the border ; 

 but the fruit in this situation is apt to be soiled by the gravel alter 

 heavy rains. In whatever way the strawberry is grown it requires to 

 be renewed every third, fourth, or, at the latest, fitth year. 



Culture in Rows. In the ordinary mode of culture the runners are 

 planted in rows, varying in width from eighteen inches to thirty 

 inches. Unless the plants are very strong no fruit should be taken 

 the first year ; this will ensure a full crop for the next season. The 



