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CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



STRAWBERRIES.— OLD AND NEW. 



IN LITTLE GKAXTON, ONT. 



PROBABLY no clepartment of hor- 

 ticulture has received greater at- 

 tention within the last decade than 

 strawberry culture. The production of 

 new varieties by cross fertilization be- 

 tween those bearing the largest and 

 those of the finest flavored, has engaged 

 the attention of the most scientific and 

 careful cultivators, until this noble fruit 

 has been brought nearly to the ideal of 

 perfection. 



The sti'awberry, among fruits, is 

 more than the rose among flowers. I 

 love it. I have a fondness for the 

 broad leaves that defy the frosty breath 

 of winter, for the pure white blossoms 

 that cheer us first in spring, and for 

 the fruit that breathes the perfume of 

 paradise. Man may construct steam- 

 ships and railroads, disembowel the 

 earth for ores, measure the mountains 

 of the moon, and make his voice heard 

 across old ocean, but God alone cim 

 make a strawberry. 



Tnere are many things to learn in 

 connection with growing the straw- 

 berry, and the most experienced growers 

 are always learning ; still this need not 

 deter the beginner from entering upon 

 an occupation which is delightful alike 

 for the young, middle-aged and the old. 



Small fruit growing has many advan- 

 tages over any other occupation. A 

 poor man, woman or child can engage 

 in it and become his own employer. 

 Women have made successful florists, 

 and can make still more successful fruit 

 growers. The labor is light, pleasant, 

 and healthful. It brings one in con- 

 tact with nature when she is at her 

 best. When wintry winds howl and 

 the earth is locked in icy fetters, the 

 fruit grower can use his well-earned 

 leisure as suits him best. If rain stops 

 his work it is little matter, for the 

 thousand rootlets of his plants are 

 working for him day and night. 



In growing strawberries, use rich 

 soil, givegoodcultureand grow in matted 

 rows, not too wide. Hill culture is not 

 protltable for market purposes. Plant 

 in spring. I would advise beginners 

 to set few varieties, and such as Cres- 

 cent, May King, Covil, Ontario and 

 Mount Vernon for medium early ; and 

 Manchester and Sucker State for late. 

 The first three are the earliest berries 

 grown ; the Ontario has no white tips. 

 I was the first to fruit it in Canada, 

 and those who have it with white tips 

 have not the Ontario. 



For others who like something large, 

 beautiful, and grand, I will head the 

 list with two of Ci-awford's seedlings, 

 viz. : Summit and Crawford (not for 

 sale) ; next, Jessie, Bubach, Logan, 

 and Ohio. I saw the Jessie and seventy 

 other seedlings alongside of it in June 

 last at Mr. Loudon's home in Wiscon- 

 sin. I have seen many a grand straw- 

 berry sight, but that excelled anything 

 I ever saw ; they lay in heaps there as 

 large as the peach and plum, and not a 

 small berry among them. 



If spared, as I am testing over twenty 

 new seedlings, and have fruited some 

 of them twice, I will give to any sub- 

 scriber to The Horticulturist who 

 would like it, the truth, and only the 

 truth about them. They do not get 

 any favor shown them more than the 

 ordinary kinds receive, such as Cres- 

 cent and others. There are some of 

 them that will displace many that are 

 now pushed to the front. When the 

 berry season comes, if spared, will be 

 pleased to have a visit from you, Mr. 

 Editor, or others who are interested in 

 the strawberry. 



My plantation is not large, but I 

 have the largest number of seedlings 

 in the counti'y. 



1th March, 1888. 



