Character and Habits of the Strawberry Plant. 355 



REVIEWS. 



Art. 1. The Cultivation of the Grape and Manufacture of 



Wine. Also, Character and Habits of the Stj^aivberry Plant. 



By N. LoNGwoRTH. Pamphlet. 8vo., pp. 19. Cincinnati. 

 1846. 



This pamphlet was sent to us by Mr. Longworth early in 

 the season, immediately on its publication. We should have 

 noticed it at the time, but, as we were desirous, after the vari- 

 ous articles which have appeared in our magazine during the 

 last three years, to arrive at some satisfactory conclusions upon 

 this vexed question, we laid it aside in order to have the ex- 

 perience of the present season. We shall endeavor now to 

 fully discuss the matter, and if we differ in many points from 

 Mr. Longworth, we hope our results will be satisfactory, and 

 of some practical value to all cultivators. 



Mr. Longworth has combated the subject with great earnest- 

 ness, and, if he obtains no other credit, he certainly can claim 

 the merit of having drawn attention to the question, and of 

 seeing his views practically confirmed. We say practically, 

 for although our opinion has changed, as facts have pre- 

 sented themselves, we have for two years always advised the 

 planting of perfect and imperfect blooming kinds in near prox- 

 imity, in order to msure abundant crops. To give Mr. Long- 

 worth's views as summed up in his pamphlet, we quote the 

 following : — 



" I regret that the Committee on the character of the Strawberry plant 

 have not yet been able to make up an unanimous report. It arises from a 

 failure of the crop with some members of the committee, and from a convic- 

 tion with our European gardeners, that all varieties were perfect in both 

 organs in Europe; and they are slow to believe the contrary. This I am 

 positive is not the fact in England. In some soils and some climates, and 

 in favorable seasons, such staminate plants as are partially perfect in 

 the female organs, yield a larger crop than usual ; but can never be made to 

 bear a full crop. But in raising from seed, fully one half will in general be 

 staminate plants, and not one in fifty of ihem bear even a single fruit. 

 Those that do bear produce many defective berries. I do not believe that 

 any soil, climate or season can make the pistillate plant bear singly; and it 

 is the only one worthy of cultivation for a crop. Of this, and of the stami- 



