428 AMERICAN HOME GARDEX. 



the land. If the plantings are made in the fall, which is un- 

 desirable, the patch runs over to the spring of the third year 

 for its main crop. 



Difficulty, and not unfrequently disappointments, are met 

 with in strawberry culture from the irregular botanical pecul- 

 iarities of the blossoms. Unless skilled in these, so as to dis- 

 criminate clearly, it will be well that you should watch your 

 bed from year to year, and destroy all plants that bloom, but 

 fail to fruit ; for, if this be neglected, they will, after a while, 

 conquer the less vigorous fruit-bearers, and spoil your bed. 



Naturally the blossoms of most varieties of the strawberry, 

 like those of the apple and cherry, or, more strictly, like those 

 of the raspberry, are bi-sexual and perfect, combining stamens 

 and pistils in due proportion in the same flower ; but in cer- 

 tain kinds, the flowers, or most of them, are imperfect, some 

 varieties lacking pistils, and others being destitute of stamens, 

 so that fruit is not produced. The whole family of HAUTBOIS, 

 or high-stem strawberries, known by their pyramidal heads 

 and crimped foliage, is peculiarly subject to these defects; 

 and, although their fruit is of a remarkably fine, high flavor, 

 they have failed to make their way into general cultivation. 



Peabody's new seedling Hautbois is said to be an exception 

 to the rule, having perfect flowers, bearing well, and retaining 

 the peculiar flavor of its class ; if so, it will be regarded as an 

 acquisition, at least to private gardens. 



Much has been said and written by way of obviating the 

 difficulties resulting to the private cultivator from these im- 

 perfections. The best general remedy is to throw away all 

 such kinds, or leave them to professional fruit-growers or spe- 

 cial amateurs, and obtain plants of perfect -flowered varieties 

 that may be relied on alone for a fair or abundant crop. There 

 is probably no kind with defective flowers so superior to others 

 in the character of its fruit as to make it worthy of continued 

 cultivation by those whose general duties are likely to inter- 

 fere with any small attentions to such a matter, or whose time 

 and labor are deemed of value. 



The following figures and explanations will perhaps aid in 

 obtaining a clear idea of the peculiarities referred to. 



