346 STRAWBERRY. 



Raspberry beds are in their prime about the third and 

 fourth year ; and, if well managed, continue in perfection 

 five or six years, after which they are apt to decline in 

 growth, and the fruit to become small, so that a successive 

 plantation should be provided in time. Select new plants 

 from vigorous stools in full perfection as to bearing. Be 

 careful to favour the twice bearers with a good mellow soil, 

 in a sheltered situation, in order that the second crop may 

 come to perfection. 



When Raspberries are cultivated on a large scale, it is 

 best to plant them in beds by themselves, in rows from three 

 to five feet apart, according to the kinds. In small gardens, 

 they may be planted in detached stools, or in single rows, in 

 different parts of the garden, from the most sunny to the 

 most shady aspect, for early and late fruit of improved growth 

 and flavour. It is requisite to cut out the dead stems early 

 in the Spring, and to thin and regulate the successional 

 young shoots ; at the same time, the shoots retained should 

 be pruned at the top, below the weak bending part, and 

 some rotten dung worked in, around the roots of the plants. 

 Keep them clear of weeds during the Summer, by hoeing 

 between the rows ; at the same time eradicate all super- 

 fluous suckers, but be careful to retain enough for stock in, 

 succeeding years. 



STRAWBERRY. 



FRAISIER. Fragaria. 



This is a genus of fruit-bearing herbaceous plants, of 

 which there are few in the vegetable kingdom that can 

 equal the Strawberry in wholesomeness and excellence. 

 The fruit is supposed to receive its name from the ancient 

 practice of laying straw between the rows, which keeps the 

 ground moist and the fruit clean. They are natives of tem- 

 perate, or cold climates, as of Europe and America. The 

 fruit, though termed a berry, is, in correct botanical Ian* 

 guage, a fleshy receptacle, studded with seeds. It is univer- 



