new varieties of Strawberries. 243 



been prevented by the quantity of other information on hand, 

 we do so now, in order that preparations may be made for next 

 spring. In the mean time much can be done by encouraging 

 such plants as it is desirable to save seed from, that they may ac- 

 quire strength to throw up large trusses of blossoms, and conse- 

 quently larger and superior fruit. 



The first thing to be considered, is, what particular varieties 

 are best suited for this purpose. If hardiness is, and it certain- 

 ly should be, the first and great object of the cultivator, he should 

 endeavor, if he is not possessed of the plants, to procure such 

 as are suitable; if earliness is an object, that kind should be se- 

 lected as a parent whose fruit is perfected the first in the season; 

 if size and flavor are objects, and they certainly are, next to har- 

 diness, those varieties which are noted for these characters should 

 be chosen. It should be the purpose of the raiser of new 

 varieties to combine all these properties as much as possible; 

 that is, to procure hardy, large, and superior flavored fruit: earli- 

 ness is not so much desired as the other qualities; for in propor- 

 tion as the bearing season is advanced, the size of the fruit is 

 lessened, as it has a shorter time to perfect its growth. As good 

 varieties to breed from, we would mention the early Virginia, 

 Methven scarlet, and mulberry or pine; and as sorts to mix with 

 these, the Keen's seedling, old pine, and Downton. 



Perhaps the following intermixtures would produce excellent 

 varieties: If to procure a hardy, large and well flavored one, 

 select the Methven scarlet for one of the parents; let this be 

 impregnated with the Keen's seedling, and, perhaps, the Down- 

 ton. We have before remarked, at p. 101, that fertilization can 

 be effected with at least two, and, perhaps, more kinds, and 

 combine the characters of both; in this case the stigma may be 

 impregnated widi one variety, which may be tender, to impart 

 its flavor, or size, or both, and with another for its hardiness or 

 capability of withstanding our winters unhurt. Thus the early Vir- 

 ginia may be impregnated with the Keen's seedling for produc- 

 tiveness, size, and firmness of flesh, and the Downton for flavor; 

 or the Keen's seedling may be impregnated with the early Vir- 

 ginia for hardiness, and the Downton for flavor; the Methven 

 scarlet, which is hardier than any other of the large English 

 strawberries, may be fertilized with the Keen's seedling and the 

 Virginia, or the mulberry: these are but a few of the intermix- 

 tures, with a limited number of sorts; but the experiment can 

 be tried with the Chili, roseberry, Soulhborough, melon, 

 Wilmot's superb, Myatt's new pine, &c. 



The cultivator who is desirous of raising new varieties should 

 now prepare his bed for that purpose, by cutting away all super- 

 fluous runners as fast as they appear, and encouraging the old 

 plants to make as vigorous a growth as possible; the beds should 



