CHAPTER V. 



IDEAL STRAWBERRIES VERSUS THOSE OF THE FIELD AND MARKET. 



are certain strong, coarse-feeding vegetables, like corn and 

 -L potatoes, that can be grown on the half-subdued and comparatively 

 poor soil of the field ; but no gardener would think of planting the finer 

 and more delicate sorts in such situations. There are but few who do 

 not know that they can raise cauliflowers and egg-plants only on deep, 

 rich land. The parallel holds good with this fruit. There are straw- 

 berries that will grow almost anywhere, and under any circumstances, 

 and there is another class that demands the best ground and culture ; 

 but from the soil of a good garden, with a little pains, we can obtain 

 the finest fruit in existence, and there is no occasion to plant those 

 kinds which are grown for market solely because they are productive, 

 and hard enough to endure carriage for a long distance. The only 

 transportation to be considered is from the garden to the table, and there- 

 fore we can make table qualities our chief concern. If our soil is light 

 and sandy, we can raise successfully one class of choice, high-flavored 

 varieties ; if heavy, another class. Many worry over a forlorn, weedy 

 bed of some inferior variety that scarcely gives a week's supply, when, 

 with no more trouble than is required to obtain a crop of celery, large 

 delicious berries might be enjoyed daily, for six weeks together, from 

 twenty different kinds. 



The strawberry of commerce is a much more difficult problem. The 

 present unsatisfactory condition of affairs was admirably expressed in the 



