THE STRAWBERRY. 



Fragaria^ {of sjjecies,) L. — Rosacece of Botanists. 



During the past ten years, or since the advent of Hovey's Seed- 

 I'Tig to the varieties of the Strawberry, there has arisen a furor for 

 the production of new varieties, until nearly every village in the 

 United States has its "rare and unsurpassed seedling," cultivated and 

 extolled with praise and poetry equaling that of olden bard ; while 

 savans, wise on Strawberry culture and the structure of plants 

 botanically, have occupied page after page of our Horticultural 

 Journals, much to the amusement, if not instruction, of practical 

 men. 



A native of the temperate latitudes of both hemispheres, the 

 varieties of the Strawberry are universally esteemed among the 

 most delicious, as well as most wholesome, of the smaller fruits. 

 And although it is regarded as properly a habitant of cold climates, 

 it is successfully cultivated in the most southern latitude of this 

 country. 



As a fruit embracing delicious and healthful qualities, with full and 

 satisfactory pecuniary returns, it has found a place in every garden, 

 farm, and plantation, from the size of a bed four feet square to the 

 field of five times that many acres ; yet withal, there is not sufficient 

 quantity grown to meet the demand. Olden records have been made 

 of cures effected in the human frame from use of Strawberries. We 

 consider the fact, that during strawberry season there is less of sickness 

 in cities Avell supplied M'ith that fruit, a most agreeable testimonial to 

 its healthful and invaluable qualities at the present day. The dis- 

 tinctive name, Fragaria, is highly expressive of the fragrant scent 

 emitted by the fruit. 



Raising from Seed. When the fruit is perfectly ripe, it should 

 be gathered and cut into small pieces, or w^ith great care each seed 

 separated. Select ground of light sandy soil, where only the morn- 

 ing sun will shine ; or, better, perhaps, have ready a cold-frame with 

 the lights sloping to the North. Sow the seed at distances of about 

 one inch, and cover lightly, by sifting fine sand, or, what is prefera- 

 ble, vegetable mould from the woods. This done in June, the plants 

 will need care until about October, at which time, if not grown in a 

 frame, they should have tan-bai'k or decayed leaves strewed among 

 them to the depth of two inches. Early in April following, trans- 

 plant into deeply^ drenched ground, well manured with vegetable com 

 post. 



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