158 FRUIT GARDEN. 



been only partially employed ; but the samples of straw- 

 berry wine which we have tasted had more of the vinous 

 flavor than any other of our domestic wines. The culture 

 of strawberries is the most lucrative part of the employ- 

 ment of the market-gardener, at least near large towns. 

 In England it is not uncommon for him to realize a clear 

 profit of 25 or 35, or even more, per imperial acre of 

 strawberry ground. The greater the diligence and assi- 

 duity of the cultivator, the greater will be his returns. It 

 is a common and just remark, that too little labor is, in 

 general, expended upon the strawberry, and by the igno- 

 rant and unskilful gardener least of all. 



In some places, a strawberry bank is formed in this 

 way : A ridge of earth, consisting of rich loam if possible, 

 is formed, about six feet broad at the base, and about five 

 feet high in the centre, running nearly from north to 

 south. Along the centre of the ridge a narrow channel is 

 formed, into which water may be poured, so as to perco- 

 late the sides. Along the sloping sides bricks are placed 

 like the steps of a stair, and in the interstices, between the 

 bricks, strawberry plants are inserted. In this way the 

 plants have the fullest advantage of sunshine, the fruit is 

 kept perfectly clean, and its early maturity promoted by 

 the reflected heat of the bricks. 



Strawberries are extensively forced. The Old Scarlet, 

 Old Pine, "Roseberry,. Grove End, and Keen's Seedling, 

 are found suitable for this purpose. The latter has the 

 advantage of being early, prolific, and yielding large fruit ; 

 but the Old Scarlet and the Old Pine have the superiority 

 in flavor. The plants must be in a course of preparation 

 for nearly a year before the fruit can be expected. They 

 are potted in April with rich soil, two or three young 

 plants being put into a pot of eight or ten inches in diam- 



