Forchig Strawberries. 157 



among the winter fruit very much as the Williams does among the summer 

 apples ; though the color of the former is not quite so brilliant as that of 

 the latter. 



From all the information we have been able to gather concerning it from 

 those who have grown it, we are led to regard it as an acquisition to our 

 already over-burdened list of apples. 



FORCING STRAWBERRIES. 



Consider the following reasons why the strawberry should receive more 

 attention as a fruit for forcing. It is the earliest of fruits in the open air, 

 and consequently requires the least possible time in maturing its crop 

 under glass. The cost of the crop is thereby greatly lessened ; and, what is 

 of at least equal importance, the fruit is in advance of every thing else, ripen- 

 ing in March and April, at a time when most wanted, and when it com- 

 mands the highest price in the market. The space required for the plants 

 is very small, and the cost for suitable houses and for fuel is correspond- 

 ingly small. Very frequently, the plants may occupy space in houses that 

 would otherwise be vacant and useless. Another advantage is in the 

 short time required in preparation of the plants; much less than with any 

 other fruit, and scarcely extending over more than the previous months of 

 August and September. Again : the quality, color, fragrance, and size of 

 the fruit are eminently fitting for such delicacies. The advantage in size 

 is emphasized, because it is important. A dozen berries would be more 

 of an ornament to a fruit-dish than a single peach, both costing about the 

 same amount. The berries can be distributed with a seeming liberality, 

 and yet at less cost than larger fruits. In view of these facts, we may 

 expect to see this fruit more abundantly supplied in our markets. When 

 the few and simple conditions of successful culture are generally under- 

 stood, I cannot doubt that the fruit can be produced at a cost which will 

 insure a liberal profit to the producer, and a much larger use by the 

 public. 



The cardinal condition for all winter-work, either in fruits or flowers, is 



