io8 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



NOTES ON THE STRAWBERRY. 



GENERAL OBSERVATION.S ON STRAWBERRIES. 



F varieties of strawberries are separated into two classes, 

 viz. : (i) those that continue a long time in bearing, and 

 (2) those that continue a short season — it will be found that 

 the most prolific fall into the first-class, and the least pro- 

 ductive into the second. It is also true, in general, that 

 the greater the number of pickings during the season, the 

 greater the total product. It might seem that the aggregate crop would depend 

 as much or more upon the quantity of ripe fruit at each picking, as upon the 

 number of pickings. It would also seem that the varieties which ripen slowly 

 would be more affected by dry weather, or other unfavorable influences, than 

 those that yield their crop in a short time ; but such does not appear to be the 

 fact. A short strawberry season means a short crop, whether varieties are con- 

 sidered individually or in the aggregate, and the converse is equally true. 



A variety that gives three pickings during the season, will yield about half 

 as large a crop as one that gives six. This generalization refers particularly to 

 varieties that have well fixed characteristics. Some of these variable varieties 

 may, in many cases, appear to be exceptions. There are also varieties that have 

 neither a long nor a short season, hence can hardly be classified. All things 

 considered, the long season varieties are more sure and profitable than those that 

 continue but a short time in bearing, and yield comparatively few pickings. 



EARLY AND LATE, COMPARED WITH MEDIUM VARIETIES. 



Nearly all of the very early varieties continue but a short time in bearing, 

 give comparatively few pickings, and produce light crops. The same is true, 

 in a more marked degree, of the extremely late ripening sorts. The effect is the 

 same as if the last pickings of the early varieties, and the first pickings of the late, 

 ' had been destroyed ; both early and late hold out but a short time. In general, 

 the medium, or second early sorts, are these having a long season. Although 

 not all that are found in this class are highly fruitful, it is true that the most 

 fruitful come within it. 



PERFECT AND IMPERFECT FLOWERED VARIETIES COMPARED. 



One thing is clear, i. e., that the most prolific varieties are found among these 

 having imperfect flowers. Nearly all this class are very prolific. Among those 

 having perfect flowers, none are found that are extremely prolific ; the Wilson 

 and Capt. Jack being possible exceptions under favorable conditions. 



Taking averages for the two classes, we find that the varieties having Im- 

 perfect flowers, stand thirty-eight per cent, higher than those having perfect 



