The Canadian Horticulturist. hi 



The strawberry of long ago grew wild. They are naturally inhabitants 

 of nearly all countries, and as much cultivation will improve ordinary farm 

 crops, so also will it improve the strawberry. 



Since the first seedling strawberry was introduced nearly fifty-six years 

 ago, thousands of varieties have been grown. The next in importance after 

 Hovey's was Wilson's strawberry. This berry has served its day and more 

 profitable varieties have taken its place. 



Three things should be kept in mind in planting, viz.: (i) whether for 

 home use or pleasure ; (2) for home market or shipping a long distance ; 

 and (3) the quality of the soil in each instance. 



Many of the kinds now before the public have bad and good points com- 

 bined. Under the above conditions there are many kinds desirable to cul- 

 tivate when a special merit is required. It is impossible to combine all the 

 good points in any one variety. You can get quantity in some varieties, in 

 others quality. Again, some varieties can be shipped hundreds of miles, 

 others need care to get them to the nearest market. 



As in the past, so in the future. There are thousands of seedlings 

 undergoing tests every year. Men are trying to approach as near as pos- 

 sible the perfect plant and berry. 



Of the old varieties many are very desirable and adapt themselves to all 

 localities, and also to much neglect, viz.: Crescent, Captain Jack, Cumber- 

 land and Manchester. 



Others of recent date maintain their popularity wherever they have 

 been planted, viz.: Bubach No. 5, Haverland, Warfield No. 2. These 

 fertilized by Jessie will give results that will be satisfactory, and if properly 

 cared for they are all large and productive. 



I don't remember in any season heretofore so many new varieties offered 

 as there is for the coming spring. 



I might just name them and I may speak of them more fully by and by 

 (I have no axe to grind) : Mrs. Cleveland, some of Mr. Loudon's, Florence, 

 Lady Rusk, Parker Earle, Stayman's No. i and the Great Pacific. 



Granton,Ont.,yan. iiih, iSgo. JOHN LITTLE, 



THE RELATION OF BEES TO FLOWERS AND FRUIT.— I. 



THE relation that bees bear to flowers and fruit may appear to the 

 fruit grower as of little importance, and scarcely worthy his con- 

 sideration. Whatever his opinion may be, however, the fact remains 

 that the wants of bees in all their genera and species are supplied by the 

 floral world, and the insect world gives to the flowers in return that aid 

 without which they must soon become extinct. To appreciate the relation- 



