22 THE STEAWBERKY OHLTTJEIST. 



The results of some of the largest experiments which I have tried 

 are, that out of several hundred seedlings of 1856 none were good, 

 although sown from the best seed that I could obtain. In 1859 I raised 

 another large qi -antity. Being more careful in selecting the varieties 

 and in their fertilization, the result was a thousand different varieties. 

 There were sixty pistillates, one staminate which produced no fruit, 

 and the remainder bisexual or hermaphrodite. 



Out of this number I have three varieties that have fruited three 

 years, which are worthy of being cultivated. From two hundred seed- 

 lings of 1860, fruited two years, I shall keep two for further trial. 



To those who may think this a tedious undertaking, I would say 

 that no one should endeavor to produce new and improved varieties 

 of fruits and flowers if it is to be looked upon as labor. It should be 

 only a pleasant pastime. 



POT CULTURE. 



"WTien strawberries are to be cultivated in pots, the soil should be 

 made much richer and more friable than when cultivated in the open 

 ground. A good compost for the purpose is made by taking sods from 

 an old pasture, putting them in a heap, and turning them occasionally 

 until they are thoroughly rotted ; then take three parts of this and one 

 part of good stable manure (or cow manure, which is better) which 

 is at least one year old, and well rotted ; add a small quantity of coarse 

 sand ; mix these well together and sift through a coarse sieve before 

 using. Other materials of like nature, such as peat, leaf mold, 

 etc., may be used instead of sods. Prepare compost the season before 

 it is wanted for use, and so soon as the plants begin to throw out run- 

 ners, fill small pots, say two or three inches in diameter, with the com- 

 post, and set them in the ground near the plants from which you wish to 

 take those for pot culture, with the top of the pot just level with the 

 surface. So soon as the young runner shows signs of producing roots, 

 place it on the soil in the pot and lay a small stone on it to keep it in 

 its place. When the plant has become well rooted ia the pot, it should 

 be lifted, the runner cut off both sides close to the plant, then set the 

 pots away in an open and airy place for a week or two, being careful 

 to give them plenty of water. They should always be placed on boards 



