FRUIT. 195 



autumn, and the young ones tied in bundles of four in the 

 form of an arch, or they may be tied singly to a trellis. The 

 chief points in their culture for exhibition are to keep the canes 

 thin, the surface roots intact, and to feed them liberally. The 

 points of merit are : (1.) Size ; (2.) flavour ; and (3.) colour. 



THE STEAWBEKKY. 



The Strawberry is a fruit that is widely cultivated, highly 

 valued, and unique, in respect that its fine aroma and delicious 

 flavour is appreciated by every one. It belongs to the genus 

 Fragaria, some species of which are indigenous to Britain and 

 Europe, while others are of American origin, which, by cross- 

 ing and recrossing, have given rise to most of the varieties 

 now cultivated. Some of the best kinds for exhibition are 

 Elton Pine, Frogmore Late Pine, James Veitch, Lucas, Pre- 

 sident, and Sir Joseph Paxton. Certain varieties thrive and 

 fruit well in almost any soil, while others refuse even to grow 

 on the same ground ; but as a rule they all succeed tolerably 

 well on a loamy soU of medium character which is retentive 

 of moisture but well drained. The ground should be trenched 

 two feet deep, with plenty of well-decomposed manure incor- 

 porated among it. The best fruit is obtained from two year 

 old plants, but excellent fruit may be gathered the first year 

 after planting when that is done in August, especially if the 

 young plants have been well rooted in small pots, and planted 

 out of them with the balls intact. Three feet is a fair distance 

 to give them between the rows, and 15 inches between the 

 plants. 



Watering the plants in dry weather and keeping the ground 

 clean is all that is needed till early summer, when the runners 

 should be removed as they grow, and the roots supplied with 

 liquid manure after the fruit is set. In order to obtain fruit 

 of the highest colour and flavour, the bunches should be 

 thinned and kept well up among the foliage by means of 

 a small hoop supported on stakes from six to eight inches 

 in height. By this method of giving them all the Kght 

 possible, the most difiicult varieties to colour are brought to 



