52 FRUIT CULTURE. 



horse hoe, and the ground is kept clean until the plants are 

 in bloom. Barley or oat straw is then spread between 

 the plants to keep the fruit clean. The straw can be re- 

 moved after the fruit is picked, and either stacked away 

 for future use, or carted to the yards. A good crop is 

 usually taken the second season after planting. After 

 the fruit has been picked, the straw is raked oft' and the 

 foliage trimmed, and by the second year the land will 

 require a good dressing of stable manure applied in 

 autumn. Also soot and artificial manures may be applied 

 advantageously each year. The duration of the crop is 

 usually five to six years, after which the yield declines, 

 and the plant is not worth retaining. 



Varieties of Strawberries 



SIR JOSEPH PAXTON. This is at the present time more 

 largely grown than any other variety, being a heavy crop- 

 per, rich in flavour, and what is highly important to the 

 market grower, stands packing well. Consequently it is 

 more largely used than any other for punnetting. 



YISCOMTESSE HERICART DE THURY. Fine large fruit, 

 which stands well the wet weather, its abundant foliage 

 protecting the flowers and fruit. Fine for preserving. 



SIR CHARLES NAPIER. A fine late variety, large and 

 good cropper, and travels well. 



ELTON PINE. A showy fruit, and highly coloured right 

 through the flesh. On this account it is much prized for 

 preserving. 



ELEANOR. One of the latest, and on that account useful; 

 free grower, and hardy. 



LAXTON'S NOBLE. This variety, though of recent intro- 

 duction, has come rapidly to the front as a market variety. 

 It is the earliest out of doors, ripening ten days or a 



