THE STRAWBERRY 189 



fast. If intended for sending away put them into square punnets. In no 

 case should the fruits be handled a second time. Each fruit is picked without 

 the stalk, except in the case of such as are picked singly for sending long 

 distances. 



Varieties. — The varieties now grown are greatly superior to the old ones. 

 The list is not a long one. I find the best to be : — 



Rouge Ameliore, or Improved Red.— This variety has a very long fruit, is of 

 vigorous growth, crops well, and is admirable for long distance packing. It is bright 

 red in colour. 



Belle de Meaux. — The fruits of this variety are obtuse in shape, dark colour, 

 and of first-class flavour. 



Janus. — Similar to the preceding in most respects, but not so dark in colour. 



Sutton's Large Red.— A good selection, very prolific, and of free growth. 



Blanc Ameliore, or Improved White. — This is the best white variety, and 

 should be grown for the sake of its colour, besides which it is a good cropper. 



There are also the two varieties which do not produce runners, Sans Filets 

 Rouge and Sans Filets Blanc. These I do not recommend for culture in this 

 country. They are not so prolific, at least that has been my experience of 

 them. They make dense plants, owing no doubt to the absence of runners, 

 but do not crop so well. It is my conviction that the Hautbois strawberry, if 

 treated in a similar way and raised annually from seed, would be far more 

 satisfactory than from runners. 



THE BEST STRAWBERRIES 



By GEORGE BUNYARD 



Auguste Nicaise. — Fruit bright scarlet ; first fruits very large, cockscomb-shaped ; 

 later berries round and regular ; sepals reflexed, showing smooth neck ; flesh orange- 

 red, richly flavoured ; foliage bold and broad, close and compact. Except for preserving, 

 this variety is not recommended for outside culture, but as a second-early for forcing it is 

 remarkably good. It sets freely, and the berries are often 2J ozs. in weight ; even when 

 forced, they possess unusually good flavour. 



British Queen.— i^rarV long, wedge-shaped; orange-red, quite yellow on the 

 shaded side ; sepals very large ; seeds small, prominent ; flesh firm, white, rich, sweet, 

 pine flavour ; leaves pale-green, with hoary footstalks. This old and esteemed variety 

 is worth very careful culture, and succeeds best on chalky or loamy soils. The crop is 

 never large, but the good quality of the fruit will always commend it to the amateur. 

 The foliage is very hairy and subject to red spider, therefore it is advisable to syringe 

 the plants freely after the fruit is gathered. This fruit is not figured, but it much 

 resembles Dr. Hogg. 



Countess. — Fruit oblong, often wedge-shaped ; colour deep red, often mulberry 

 coloured ; seeds small ; flesh firm, marbled red. A variety of first-class flavour. Foliage 

 bold on short green footstalks ; habit compact. May be planted i foot apart. One of the 

 very finest sorts. Of handsome, glossy appearance, and splendid quality. 



Dr. Hogg. — First fruits flattened, wedge-shaped ; later berries long and pointed ; 

 bright glowing pale scarlet ; seeds prominent ; flesh firm, white, rich luscious flavour ; 

 foliage deep green, hoary beneath. This is certainly the finest flavoured strawberry 

 grown. It prefers a deep heavy soil ; ironstone and clay should be introduced where 

 the soil is light. It resembles British Queen, but is of better habit ; the flesh is not so 



