STRA WBERRIESPROPA GA TION. 225 



Keen, Myatt and others followed, with gratifying results. Mr. Douglas raised 

 Loxford Hall Seedling. Mr. Bradley raised several varieties, including the valuable 

 Sir Joseph Paxton. Subsequently Mr. Laxton produced Noble, Royal Sovereign, Latest 

 of All and others ; while Mr. W. Allan raised Empress of India, Lord Suffield, and 

 Gunton Park. These are proofs of what may be effected by cross-fertilisation and 

 selection. 



To practise artificial impregnation successfully the stamens of the seed-bearing 

 flowers must be removed before the pollen is ripe, enclosing the flowers in gauze bags 

 to prevent natural fertilisation by bees, then applying pollen from the desired variety 

 to the stigmas with a camels' hair brush. Some hybridists grow the plants under glass 

 to isolate the seed-bearing plants. Where artificial impregnation is not resorted to, the 

 finest fruits should be selected for seeds. 



"When the fruit is thoroughly ripe the seeds may be pared off, spread and dried on 

 thick paper ; or the berries may be crushed and the seeds separated from the pulp by 

 means of water, reserving those only which sink, and drying them. They may be sown 

 when taken from the fruit, or in February or March. A seed bed in a sheltered place 

 outside will answer well, attending carefully to watering. The soil should be light and 

 rich, say two parts loam and one part leaf mould, covering the seeds lightly. Seeds 

 may be advisedly sown in pans or boxes in a frame, placing panes of glass on them, 

 which remove as soon as the seedlings appear. When raised in a gentle hotbed in the 

 spring the seedlings will be ready to plant by midsummer and will fruit the following 

 year. Those from seed sown outdoors will bear fruit in the second year. As soon as the 

 plants have made two or three leaves, prick them out to gain strength and eventually 

 transfer to the fruiting quarters. If well attended in watering, keeping the beds free 

 from weeds and removing runners, some interesting results will be forthcoming in the 

 year of fruiting. 



Division. A plant consists of one crown at first, which increases to many as it 

 ages, and the stems of each become sufficiently long to be detached separately, some- 

 times with a small portion of root attached. Each crown that can be so secured will 

 generally grow if carefully planted in October or February, roots in either case being 

 emitted at once. It is a slow mode of increase, useful only in the case of scarce varieties 

 or where runners cannot be had. 



Runners. Most varieties push runners readily, but more freely, earlier and stronger 

 from young than old plants. Each runner is furnished with a bud which travels clear 



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