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THE STRAWBERRY (Fragaria). 



CLASSIFICATION OF THE STRAWBERRY. The modern cultivated 

 strawberries are derived from four prototypes, two of European 

 and two of American sources. Those improved varieties are, how- 

 ever, widely different from their originators, but they, nevertheless, 

 retain certain characteristics which are essentially their own. By 

 means of hybridisation or pollenation, many of the choicest berries 

 have issued, and which combine some of the most prominent features 

 it is sought to develop. 



FRAGARIA VESCA. Alpine or Wild Wood 

 Strawberry, of which the " Queen of Four 

 Seasons" is one of the most prolific and best. 

 Seeds superficial, on the conical or hemis- 

 pherical fruiting receptacle (not sunk in a 

 cavity.) Flower stalks longer than the leaves, 

 erect, hairy, hairs closely pressed upward. 

 Fruit drooping, conical or globular. Leaves 

 thin, pale green, upper surface uneven. 

 Slightly wavy, unlike those larger straw- 

 berries ; the result of artificial cultivation. 

 Easily propagated from seeds ; very hardy ; 

 "bearing season protracted. One section of 

 this species is the Bush Alpine or Green 

 Strawberry (F. collina), whose only distinct 

 Que s e e n ason F s? Ur character 'is in its fruit, which is greenish 



brown when ripe. 



FRAGARIA ELATIOR. Hautbois strawberry, a native of Central 

 Europe. Larger, more erect, and are of longer appearance than the 

 Alpine, often shy bearers, and amongst other peculiarities, possess a 

 distinct musky flavour. " Belle Bordelaise" is one of this type. 

 Calyx reflexed, seeds superficial. Flower stalks longer than the 

 leaves, erect. Fruit round or oblate, usually drooping, but some- 

 times erect, possessing a musky flavour. Hairs on both leaf and 

 flowers. Stalks long, widely spreading, somewhat reflexed. Leaves 

 larger than F. vesca and more or less hairy, giving them a rough 

 appearance. 



FRAGARIA VIRGINTANA. The Virginian strawberry, and the 

 parent of the greater number of the improved strawberries in 

 cultivation. Seeds imbedded in the deeply-pitted receptacle. Fruit 

 roundish, ovoid to conical, highly perfumed. Flower stalk shorter 

 than the leaves, hairy. Hairs spreading, more or less erect. Leaves 

 obovate, wedge form, variable, coarsely serrate, usually dark green ; 

 upper surface smooth, often shining. 



FRAGARIA CHILENSIS OR GRANDIFLORA. The Chilian straw- 

 berry, also a native of America, from Oregon to Chili. Calyx erect, 

 slightly spreading, seeds set in a shallow depression. Flowers 

 larger than in other species. Fruit sweet, perfumed, firm. Flower 

 stalks shorter than the leaves. When first introduced it did not 

 find favour, as the blossoms are not self -fertile. This defect has 

 been got over by crossing with the Virginian strawberry. 



