158 FRUIT GARDEN. 
been only partially employed; but the samples of straw- 
berry wine which we have tasted, had more of the vinous 
flavor than any other of our domestic wines. The culture 
of strawberries is the most lucrative part of the employ- 
ment of the market-gardener, at least near large towns. 
In England it-is not uncommon for him to realize a clear 
profit of £25 or £35, or even more, per imperial acre of 
strawberry ground. The greater the diligence and assi- 
duity of the cultivator, the greater will be his returns. It 
is a common and just remark, that too little labor is, in 
general, expended upon the strawberry, and by the igno- 
rant and unskilful gardener least of all. 
In some places, a strawberry bank is formed. in this 
way: A ridge of earth, consisting of rich loam if possible, 
is formed, about six feet broad at the base, and about five 
feet high in the centre, running nearly from north to 
south. Along the centre of the ridge a narrow channel is 
formed, into which water may be poured, so as to perco- 
late the sides. Along the sloping sides bricks are placed. 
like the steps of a stair, and in the interstices, between the 
bricks, strawberry plants are inserted. In this way the 
plants have the fullest advantage of sunshine, the fruit is 
kept perfectly clean, and its early maturity promoted by 
the reflected heat of the bricks. 
Strawberries are extensively forced. The Old Scarlet, 
Old Pine, Roseberry, Grove End, and Keen’s Seedling, 
are found suitable for this purpose. The latter has the 
advantage of being early, prolific, and yielding large fruit ; 
but the Old Scarlet and the Old Pine have the superiority 
in flavor. The plants must be in a course of preparation 
for nearly a year before the fruit can be expected. They 
are potted in April with rich soil, two or three young 
plants being put into a pot of eight or ten inches in diam. 
