THE FARMER AT HOME. 399 



been a most gratifying and honorable remuneration to the fair hands 

 occupied in the labor. 



STRAWBERRY. This is one of the most wholesome and most 

 delicious of our fruits. The pulp is light, melting, and, notwithstand- 

 ing, but little watery, and does not undergo the acetous fermentation 

 in the stomach. It exhales a most delightful perfume, and the flavor 

 is exquisite, especially immediately after being plucked from the stem. 

 The root gives out several long, slender, creeping shoots, which take 

 root at intervals, and form so many new stocks ; the leaves are com- 

 posed of three leaflets, supported on a long foot-stalk, which is provided 

 with stipules at the base. From the midst of the leaves arise two or 

 three simple, slender, silky stems, from four to six inches high, and 

 terminated by a few white flowers, disposed in a sort of corymb. 

 After flowering, the receptacle increases, acquires a pulpy and succu- 

 lent consistence, and finally a red color, when the strawberries have 

 attained maturity. 



The strawberry is easily cultivated, and numerous varieties have 

 been produced ; some of great excellence have been obtained recently. 

 It forces well, and, with a little trouble in choosing a succession of 

 sorts, may be had almost every month in the year. An open situation, 

 and rich, loamy soil, rather strong, is required for most varieties ; arid 

 from their large mass of foliage and flowers, they must, till the fruit 

 is set, have copious supplies of water. The row culture is the most 

 convenient, and frequent renewal insures vigorous plants and large 

 fruit. A palatable jam, wine and vinegar are prepared from straw- 

 berries ; and they are sometimes preserved entire, in syrup or in wine. 

 Besides the cultivated strawberry, we have a wild species, common 

 in most parts of the United States. 



Modern skill and care have brought the strawberry into high 

 repute. It now occupies a conspicuous position in most private 

 gardens, while in some sections of the country it is extensively culti- 

 vated for market. One grower, in 1845, picked one hundred and 

 twenty bushels daily at the height of the season. Under proper man- 

 agement, it can be made very profitable. Instances are on record of 

 crops being at the rate of from one thousand to fifteen hundred dollars 

 per acre ; but the fair average product is probably not far from three 

 hundred and fifty dollars, which is certainly a good return upon the 

 investment. In fact, it is so productive and easy of cultivation, that 

 it is really a matter of wonder why so many families are willing to do 

 without it. 



STRAW-CUTTER. Instruments for cutting straw, hay and 

 cornstalks, are among the most useful inventions relating to agricul- 

 ture. Their utility is two-fold. If fodder is put into mangers or 

 spread out on the ground, no small part of it will be trodden under 

 foot and greatly injured, if not ruined. Even what is put in mangers 

 is liable to be drawn and scattered so as to be trampled upon. In 



