322 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY. 



against one of the walls or fences of the garden will 

 secure an abundant supply of fruit, if set with either 

 or both of the Red and Yellow Antwerps, or the 

 common Black Raspberry, the size and productive 

 ness of which last fruit is much increased by judi- 

 cious cultivation. 



STRAWBERRY. Fraguria. 



Of this most delicious fruit, it has been rightly said, 

 " There are few in the vegetable kingdom that can 

 equal the Strawberry in wholesomeness and excel- 

 lence." Strawberries are natives of most temper- 

 ate or cool climates, and are found wild in great 

 numbers both in America and Europe. Fortunate- 

 ly, the Strawberry unites properties the most con- 

 ducive to health with a fragrance and taste pecu- 

 liarly grateful, which render it one of the most gen- 

 eral favourites among fruits. 



The methods of planting the Strawberry are very 

 various, some cultivators preferring hills, others 

 rows, and others beds, in which the plant occupies 

 the whole surface of the ground. When it is re- 

 membered that the Strawberry, though a low plant, 

 has very strong roots, and that convenience in gath- 

 ering the fruit is also to be consulted, it is evident 

 that some little space should be allowed to each 

 plant, and that, consequently, hills or rows will be 

 better than closely-covered beds. Perhaps beds, 

 with three rows each, eighteen inches apart, and a 

 space of two feet between the beds, will be found 

 to economize space as well as any other method. 

 Mr. Downing, of Newburg, recommends hills ; and 

 Mr. Darke, of Ohio, also prefers hill-planting, as it 

 allows spading each Wciy. Hills must be from eigh- 

 teen inches to two feet apart. 



The preparation of the soil is a matter of much 

 importance in forming a strawberry plantation ; for, 

 though the plant will grow in almost any soil, expe- 

 rience shows that under certain circumstances onlv 



