Vol. 6. 



GENESEE PARMER. 



125 



HORTICULTURAL DEPJIRTMEJS'T. 



BY p. BARRY. 



CULTIVATION OF THE STRAWBERRY. 



In our remarks on strawberries, in our last num- 

 ber, we promised some directions for their culture in 

 this. It is a simple matter, and yet there seem to 

 be few of those who attempt to grow strawberries 

 that understand — or, if understanding, that practice 

 the most successful method. 



In the first place, then, select a plot of ground of 

 the deepest loamy soil in your garden, with a full ex- 

 posure to 'Jae sun , Prepare it thoroughly by a deep 

 spading, or trenching, to the depth of 18 inches, if 

 possible, turning in, as you proceed, an abundance of 

 strong manure. When this is done, rake the sur- 

 face until it is fine and even, and mark out your rows 

 with a line, 2^ or 3 feet apart. The latter is prefer- 

 able, where land is plentiful ; as it admits the air and 

 light around the plants, and gives riaom enough for 

 after culture. 



Next, provide yourself with strong, well-rooted 

 young plants, of the best kinds, (a list of which we 

 shall presently give,) and plant them on the rows 

 you have marked out, about a foot apart. The after 

 culture necessary consists in keeping the runners 

 cut oif, and in giving a light dressing of manure, by 

 spading between the rows every fall. A plantation 

 thus managed will yield abundantly for four or five 

 years, when it must be renewed. Those who prefer 

 having their fruit clean, when gathered, will cover 

 the ground between the rows with a light layer of 

 straw, just as the fruit begins to ripen. 



The following varieties are justly considered the 

 best new cultivated in this country: 



Large early Scarlet. — This is among the earliest 

 varieties known, is exceedingly prolific. The fruit 

 is large, fine-flavored, and handsome. 



Keen^s Seedluiir. — This is a large, beautiful, well 

 known fruit, cultivated hitherto in this section more 

 than any other. A most productive and regular 

 bearer, with a very agreeable high flavor. 



Ross^ Phcenix. — This is a new American variety, 

 produced from the seed of the foregoing, which it 

 very much resembles, but is generally admitted to 

 be superior. Indeed, we consider it to be the very 

 iesi strawberry in the American gardens. 



Hovey's Seedling. — This is also a splendid new 

 American seedling, raised by Hovey &l Co., of Bos- 

 ton, a few years ago. It has been disseminated rap- 

 idly and extensively through the country. It is in 

 many of the Rochester gardens, and those in the 

 neighborhood, where we have seen good crops on 

 young one-year-old plantations. 



Bifhop^s Orange. — A very fine, high - flavored, 

 beautiful fruit. It is very productive, and ripens at 

 an advanced season. 



The Alpine Strawberries, red and white, should 

 also be in every garden, as they yield their delicious 

 fruit the whole summer, from the usual strawberry 

 season till the approach of winter. 



The Bush Alpines produce no runners, and make 

 a tasteful and economical edging for beds in the 

 kitchen garden. 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF TORONTO. 



This society, which was organized about a year 

 ago, held its second exhibition for this season on the 

 18th of July. Wc were present on the occasion, 

 and felt highly gratified at the increased interest 

 which the society seems already to have excited 

 amongst the gardeners and amateurs of that city 

 and vicinity. The exhibition was held in the spa- 

 cious verandah of the Government-house. It was 

 much too small for the purpose, and prevented the 

 articles from appearing to the best advantage ; yet 

 it was well arranged, and looked superb. 



The Plant, Flower, and Vegetable departments 

 were well represented, and spoke well for the skill 

 and taste of the Toronto cultivators. 



The Fruit show was meagre. We saw but two 

 or three varieties of cherry, although in the middle 

 of their cherry season : two or three varieties of 

 strawberries, and a few currants. 



We have no doubt, however, the society will give 

 such an impetus to fruit culture as will, in a few 

 years, bring it to its proper rank among the other 

 departments. 



The Vegetables were as fine as we ever saw. 

 The premium rhubarb, by Mr. W. Burns, was of ex- 

 traordinary size. Also, cucumbers by the same. 



Melons, fine for the season, by Mr. Gray, gardener 

 for W. H. Boulton, Esq., mayor of the city. The 

 other vegetables were equally fine, superior to any 

 we ever saw m the Rochester market ; although 

 around Rochester we have far superior gardening fa- 

 cilities, as regards soil and climate, he. Our gar- 

 deners must bestir themselves. 



In the Floral show, Mr. James Fleming, of the 

 Yonge-street garden ; Mr. John Gray, gardener to 

 W. H. Boulton, Esq. ; and Mr. Henry Turner, were 

 the principal exhibitors. Each of these have excel- 

 lent collections of plants. We noticed among their 

 specimens some of the best new fuschias, roses, ver- 

 benas, &,c. 



Very good collections of Hardy Roses were ex- 

 hibited" by Messrs. Leslie 8c Co., and by Geo. W. 

 Allen, Esq. The first premium was awarded to the 

 former. 



Three splendid Floral Ornaments w^cre exhibited 

 for prizes. One was a representation of a large gar- 

 den vase, tastefully and elegantly made by Mr. Mc- 

 Donald, foreman in Leslie k, Co.'s nursery and seed 

 garden. This received the first premium. The 

 second was awarded to W. Williamson, Esq., an ar- 

 dent and tasteful amateur, for a fine representation 

 of the residence of Sir Walter Scott. The third 

 premium to Geo. W. Allen, Esq., for a large beau- 

 tiful design made up chiefly of roses. Mr. Allen is 

 one of the leading friends of agriculture and horti- 

 culture in Toronto, and to his exertions both socie- 

 ties are largely indebted for their organization and 

 support. 



We had almost forgotten to mention a magnifi- 

 cent Hoya carnosa, (wax plant,) the largest we 

 have ever seen in a portable state, and exhibited 

 by W. Cayley, Esq., and to which was awarded 

 the first premium as the best exotic. It was neatly 

 trained, and in full bloom. 



There are many other articles we should like to 

 notice, if space permitted, in order to show what 

 our Toronto friends are doing. But it will be seen 

 from what we have said, that they are advancing 

 rapidly. Their society will be productive of vast 

 good. If properly managed, and cordially sustain- 



