CHAPTER V. 



IDEAL STRAWBERRIES VERSUS THOSE OF THE FIELD AND 

 MARKET. 



'npHERE are certain strong, coarse-feeding vegetables, 

 like com and potatoes, that can be grown on the half- 

 subdued and comparatively poor soil of the field ; but no 

 gardener would think of planting the finer and more deli- 

 cate sorts in such situations. There are but few who do 

 not know that they can raise cauliflowers and egg-plants 

 only on deep, rich land. The parallel holds good with this 

 fruit. There are strawberries that will grow almost any- 

 where, and under any circumstances, and there is another 

 class that demands the best ground and culture. But from 

 the soil of a good garden, with a little pains, we can obtain 

 the finest fruit in existence ; and there is no occasion to 

 plant those kinds which are grown for market solely be- 

 cause they are productive, and hard enough to endure car- 

 riage for a long distance. The only transportation to be 

 considered is from the garden to the table, and therefore 

 we can make table quahties our chief concern. If our soil 

 is light and sandy, we can raise successfully one class of 

 choice, high-flavored varieties ; if heavy, another class. 

 Many worry over a forlorn, weedy bed of some inferior 

 variety that scarcely gives a week's supply, when, with no 

 more trouble than is required to obtain a crop of celery, 

 large, delicious berries might be enjoyed daily, for six weeks 

 together, from twenty different kinds. 



