THE STRAWBERRY CTTLTURI8T. 



the flowers producing no fruit, or going blind, as it is called by culti- 

 vators. This often occurs when plants are forced under glass. 



Naturally the strawberry flower has 

 five petals (see Figure 4) ; but in cul- 

 tivated varieties we often see more, 

 seven being a number often seen in 

 the larger varieties. Figure 6 rep- 

 resents a flower of Due de Malakoff 

 with seven petals. 



These are only a few of the many 

 changes which are constantly occur- 

 ring, and they admonish us to be 

 careful how we jump at a conclusion 

 without careful investigation. 



As to the assertion of some culti- 

 Flg< 6t vators, that pistillate varieties, when 



properly fertilized, are more productive than the bisexual varieties, it 

 is only necessary to state that the most productive varieties now known 

 are of the latter class, of which Wilson's Albany, Downer, Bonte de St. 

 Julien, etc., are well-known specimens. 



CUI/TURE, ETC. SOILS. 



Any moderately rich, deep loam will, in this latitude, produce a 

 good crop of strawberries ; but it is equally true that some soils and 

 situations are better adapted to particular varieties than others. For 

 instance, the Scotch Runner and Early Scarlet will thrive upon a dry 

 sandy soil, where it is almost impossible to keep some of our new im- 

 proved kmds alive. 



As a class the strawberry requires a deep moist soil, one that is open 

 and porous, not heavy, or having clay predominant. The strawberry 

 requires an abundance of moisture, and whatever the other conditions 

 are, let the supply of this be regular and there will be but little diffi- 

 culty in obtaining a bountiful crop. How this moisture can be the 

 most readily supplied must be decided by the cultivator. If the soil 

 is naturally heavy, then it should be underdrained and subsoiled ; if 

 it is gravelly or sandy, then fibrous muck or some similar material 



