THE STRAWBERRY CULTTJRIST. 7 



translated by Evelyn in 1672, mentions only four varieties, and gives 

 directions for cultivation similar to that practiced by some of the best 

 cultivators at the present time, viz., planting in August, removing all 

 the runners so soon as they appear, and renewing the beds every four 

 years. j 



Only four or five varieties are mentioned by any of the old writers 

 on gardening earlier than about 120 years ago. Switzer, in 1724, enu- 

 merates only four kinds ; therefore we conclude that few, if any, but 

 the wild varieties were in cultivation at that time. 



The Cappron strawberry (or Fressant, as it was afterward called), 

 which is mentioned by Quintinie, was the first improved variety. It 

 was obtained at Montreuil, in France, and is said to have been a seed- 

 ling of the wood strawberry. 



The Hautbois was said by Miller to have been carried to England 

 from this country, and Parkinson, in 1629, said that it had been with 

 them but of late days, and that it was brought over from America by 

 Quester, the postmaster. The native country of this species is now 

 supposed to have been Germany, where it is called the Haarbeer. The 

 old French gardeners called it the " Capiton." 



The Chili strawberry is supposed to have been introduced into South 

 America by the Spaniards, from their colonies in Mexico. It was 

 planted by them at the foot of the Cordillera Mountains, near Quito, 

 and it was from here that M. Frazier obtained it and carried it to 

 Marseilles, in 1716. It was the largest variety then known. 



It is now found on nearly every island in the Southern Ocean, wher- 

 ever the Spaniards have made settlements. "That the Chiliensis and 

 the grandiflvra are very nearly related, if not the same species, there is 

 but little doubt. 



Miller introduced the Chili strawberry into England in 1727 ; but it 

 proved to be so unproductive that, after cultivating it for nine years, 

 he said that its cultivation would have to be abandoned on this 

 account. He also speaks of the large flowers and deformed fruit of 

 this species, which is one of the characteristics of nearly every variety 

 that has been grown in Europe or America from the Chili species. 



The Fragrcria Chiliensis and F. grandift&ra appear to be varieties or 

 species from which the varieties mostly cultivated in Europe have 



