Chap. XX.] EOUEN. 347 



that of France. Their merit is not only in their continuous 

 bearing, but in their flavour, which is better than that of many 

 of the larger kinds. 



In a letter from M. Fallot, writing from the Chateau de Main- 

 tenon, published in the 'Bulletin de la Societe d'Horticulture 

 d'Eure-et-Loire,' the writer strongly urges on Strawberry-growers 

 the advisability of cultivating the Four Seasons Strawberry from 

 seed rather than from runners or cuttings, wherever it may be 

 practicable. There is a wide difference between beds of plants 

 grown on the two systems. The robust habit of the seedlings, 

 their greater productiveness, and the superior beauty and size of 

 the fruit, give them almost the appearance of being different 

 varieties of the same plant. M. Fallot has largely experimented 

 on the three usual methods of propagation by division, by runners, 

 and by seeds, with the result that he estimates their merits as 

 being in the inverse direction of the order in which they are 

 named, that is to say, the roots are inferior to runners, and both 

 inferior to seedlings. The comparative ease, however, with which 

 a large plantation may be made from cuttings or runners has 

 great temptations for the cultivator, whose time is taken up with 

 a thousand other cares. Last year being a damp one, M. Fallot's 

 crop was most successful, the fruits being so large and fine that 

 when brought to table they were thought to be a new variety. 

 The following is his method of culture : — " About the middle of 

 June the best fruit on the finest plants are chosen for seed. They 

 are dried in the sun, and the seeds are washed out, rejecting those 

 which remain floating on the surface. They are sown in the 

 beginning of July in a light soil, raked over and covered with 

 straw ; they are shaded until germination has taken place, when 

 more light is admitted gradually day by day. The sowing may 

 be made in pans, which may be exposed to the sun or placed in 

 the shade, as may be thought desirable ; they should be watered 

 daily. During the last week in August they are pricked out, 

 leaving about 4 in. between each plant, and in March following 

 they are planted out 12 in. or 15 in. apart, advantage being 

 taken of the first fine days for the operation. All runners are 

 diligently nipped off during the whole year, and also flower-buds 

 until the middle of June. From the end of July the plants are 

 in full bearing until the first frosts set in. The second year's 



