STRAWBERRY CULTURE 



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conditions pollination carried on mostly by insects may proceed 

 rapidly. Fruit stems should not be too short, and should be 

 sufficiently stocky to aid somewhat in keeping the berries off the 

 ground. The calyx should not be over large or of an unattractive 

 color. The berries should be of good size, which is retained fairly 

 well throughout the season, the shape pleasing in its beauty of 

 form, and the color should tempt the eye at first sight, neither too 

 light nor too dark but distinctly lively, bright, and clear, not green- 

 tipped at the apex. The berries should be sufficiently firm for the 

 purpose grown and should not reach the table in a mussy condition. 

 Most important of all, the flesh characters should combine a com- 

 mingling of pleasant aroma, delightful richness of agreeable flavor, 

 abundant juice, and an entire lack of toughness, astringency, or 

 insipidness. Such a combination of qualities forming just the 

 right mixture of sweetness and acidity, should certainly tempt the 

 appetite of the most fastidious palate. 



As already has been suggested, tastes differ; some want an acid 

 berry; others a sweet, mild berry; the point of view lacks uni- 

 formity and we all have our pet notions as to what constitutes 

 perfection; yet it seems certain that most strawberry growers can 

 fully agree on the importance and desirability of all these qualities 

 just enumerated and the different varieties vary so widely in flavor 

 and quality that even the most fastidious may find a variety suited 

 to their particular taste. 



The question of what to plant has not been fully answered. 

 One solution to the question is by a careful study of the varieties 

 in the immediate locality, selecting only such kinds that have by 

 past experience proved their value and adaptation in that neigh- 

 borhood. A second method is by trial of a few plants before 

 planting largely to any little known variety. The test plat should 

 be a regular feature of the strawberry grower and the newer and 

 more promising kinds should be tested and their local value deter- 

 mined before planting commercially. 



Brief mention has been made -of a class of varieties that would 

 extend the strawberry season through the fall months. Such 

 kinds are designated as "Fall-bearing" varieties, and have created 

 considerable discussion during recent years. It is true that a 

 selection from the score or more of such kinds will make this fruit 



