570 THE STRAWBERRY. 



of leisure, who by cross fecundation, with skill, care, and perseverance, might 

 raise some new varieties worthy of a permanent place among cultivated 

 fruits. 



1236. The Nootka Raspberry, R. Nutkanus, Arb. Brit., vol. ii., p. 745, 

 and Encyc. of Trees and Shrubs, p. 318, produces large red fruit, which is 

 found to make excellent tarts. If the same care were bestowed on this spe- 

 cies which has been given to the raspberry, we have no doubt it would be- 

 come one of our standard fruit shrubs. R. odoratus, a closely allied species, or 

 perhaps, only a variety, with fragrant foliage, is said to produce yellow 

 fruit of a large size, and a very fine flavour,, (ibid.). 



SUBSECT. XII. The Strawberry. 



1237. The Strawberry. Fragaria, L. (Fraisier, Fr. ; Erdbeerpflanze, 

 Ger. ; Aadbezie, Dutch; Pianta di fragola, Ital. ; and Fresa, Span.;) is 

 an herbaceous stoloniferous plant, of which there are several species, natives 

 of Europe, the temperate parts of Asia, and North America. The fruit has 

 received its name from the practice, more common in former times than at 

 present, of laying straw or litter between the rows. The fruit of the Euro- 

 pean strawberry in a wild state, gathered from the woods, has long been 

 esteemed by the rich as well as the poor, but little or no improvement took 

 place in its culture till the introduction of the Virginian Strawberry or 

 Scarlet, the Pine or Surinam Strawberry, and the Chili Strawberry, which 

 are considered by botanists as distinct species. All these sorts will breed 

 together indiscriminately, and thus have been produced some hundreds of 

 sorts, many of very great excellence, and chiefly by British gardeners ; for 

 till within these few years, no other strawberry was cultivated on the Conti- 

 nent than the small sort common in the woods. What renders the straw- 

 berry of particular value in our eyes is, that like the gooseberry, it can be 

 grown in as great perfection in the ground plot of the cottager, as in the 

 finest walled garden of the extensive landed proprietor. 



1238. Use. The fruit is much valued in the dessert, of which, without 

 the aid of glass, it may form a part from the beginning of June to November, 

 and by the aid of the forcing-pit from March till May. It is of very 

 general use in confectionery, and is recommended medicinally in cases where 

 acid fruits are injurious. It dissolves the tartareous incrustations of the 

 teeth, promotes perspiration, and has many other good qualities. In short, 

 it is one of the most inoffensive fruits, even when eaten to excess. 



1239. Varieties. These have been classed by Mr. Thompson as under : 



1. Scarlet strawberries. Fruit mostly small, colour bright, and flavour 

 acid, with slight perfume. 1. The old scarlet, syn. scarlet, Virginian, &c. ; 

 middle size, globular, of a uniform light scarlet ; flesh firm, pale scarlet, 

 and high flavoured. A great bearer, and from its colour and flavour the best 

 of all strawberries for the confectioner. 2. The Grove End scarlet, syn. 

 Atkinson's scarlet. Ripens after the preceding, and is a more abundant 

 bearer. 3. Roseberry, syn. Rose, Scotch scarlet, Aberdeen seedling, and 

 prolific pine : an excellent bearer, and well adapted for forcing. 4. Gam- 

 stone scarlet. 5. Slack roseberry. 6. American scarlet; rich sugary flavour, 

 and a good bearer, ripening late ; and 7. Coul late scarlet. 



2. Black strawberries. Fruit conical, with a neck, flavour rich, and 

 highly perfumed. 1. Downton, syn. Knight's seedling: a good bearer, 

 ripening late ; the fruit preserves well, and makes excellent sweetmeats. 



