THE STRAWBERRY. 157 



VARIETIES OF THE STRAWBERRY. 



Triomplie de Gand is one of the favorite varieties ; it is 

 of large size, fine flavor, and a fair bearer. It requires a 

 heavy soil. 



Wilson's Seedling is a variety better known than any 

 other sort ; it bears large crops, but is very sour. It is 

 much used for preserving. 



Champion. A berry of an immense size, and beautiful 

 dark crimson appearance, an abundant bearer, but not 

 so rich in flavor as some others. 



Charles Downing. This variety is likely to take the 

 place of the Wilson, as it has all the productiveness of 

 that ; succeeds on all soils, and a much better berry. 



Kentucky. Is the latest variety, and by planting it 

 with earlier sorts, will extend the season several days. 



Black Defiance. This is a first-class fruit in every re- 

 spect, large, productive, and of high flavor ; while it3 

 dark color unfits it for market, it is one of the best for 

 the private garden. 



Seth Boy den. One of the largest berries, very produc- 

 tive, sweet, but not very high flavored ; its long neck 

 allows it to be hulled very readily. 



FORCING STRAWBERRIES. 



Those who have a greenhouse often wish to force straw- 

 berries into fruit several weeks in advance of the time 

 that they will be ripe in the open air. It may be done in 

 a frame or pit. The young runners must be first layered 

 in pots, as already described, as early as runners are 

 formed, and as soon as the small pots are filled with roots, 

 they must be shifted into larger ones, say six inches in 

 diameter, the runners being pinched off as they appear, 

 so as to throw the whole strength of the plant into the 

 fruiting crown. The soil in which to pot strawberries for 



