1 8 4 



MY GARDEN. 



Besides these common varieties, we are very particular about our 

 growth of Alpine strawberries. I have grown many kinds, of which 

 there are two, one white and the other red, without runners, which are 

 commendable. These may be raised from seed early in spring in a seed 

 frame, and pricked out, when they fruit in the autumn of the same year. 

 But for Alpine strawberries we rely upon a variety the seed of which 

 I procured in Paris some years ago (fig. 353). Young plants are planted 

 out early in spring, when they bear immediately after the ordinary 



FIG. 354. Cells of ripe 

 Strawberry. 



FIG. 353- Perpetual Alpine Strawberry. 



strawberries, and last till autumn. They should be eaten with claret 

 and sugar, as is the custom in France. A few put into claret- 

 cup impart a very agreeable flavour. 



The strawberry fruit is built up of cells with brown central nucleus, 

 as Quekett has shown (fig. 354). 



The strawberry likes good soil ; so does the nettle : hence the 

 allusion of our poet when he says: 



" The strawberry grows underneath the nettle ; 

 And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best, 

 Neighbour'd by fruit of baser quality." 



SHAKSPEARE, King Henrv V. 



RASPBERRIES. 



The wild fruits of the country have given to us various varieties 

 of raspberries valuable for our winter preserves. The Falstaff 

 (fig- 355) is a fi ne variety which we grow, and Red and Yellow Antwerp 

 are*also tried kinds. To raise different varieties, seeds must be sown, 



