Strawberry. 329 



scattered over the surface in the form of minute grains, looking 

 like seeds, for which they are usually mistaken. This, how- 

 ever, is an error, for each, from the first, had a style and 

 stigma, which seeds never have ; and by cutting them open 

 the seed can be detected lying in the inside of the shell of the 

 carpel. The Strawberry is not exactly a fruit, but is merely 

 a fleshy receptacle bearing fruit ; the true fruit being the ripe 

 carpels. 



Every year adds to the immense number of varieties of this 

 plant ; we have them at present of all sizes and flavors ; and 

 in both respects they are constantly improving. We are told 

 by the best cultivators of them, that a light, warm, and 

 gravelly soil suits them best. The manure applied should be 

 exclusively vegetable ; never animal. As the vines which 

 bear the fruit require great moisture to bring it to its proper 

 size, they should be carefully placed in a not too dry soil. 

 The usual time for transplanting them is in August ; because 

 they have then ceased from bearing, and generally make good 

 offsets. No leaves except the dead or decayed ones should be 

 taken off when they are planted. They should, says an Ameri- 

 can gardener, be put eight inches apart, in rows ten inches from 

 each other, so as to form a matted bed at least two feet wide, 

 with a foot-path between them. The larger and finer kinds 

 should be planted in larger beds, with a still greater distance 

 between them ; and care should be observed to prevent them 

 running together. 



The origin of the word Strawberry, came from the quantities 

 of straw used in the beds ; so as to prevent the fruit from 

 lying on the ground, and the moisture round the plant from 

 evaporating. Oak leaves, however, have been recommended 

 as much preferable. 



With regard to its use, we are told that the fruit is fragrant, 

 delicious, and liked by almost every one. It contains some nutri- 

 tious matter which is easily digestible in the stomach, and hence, 

 very nourishing; and which may be eaten in safety by gouty 

 and rheumatic persons. Hoffman states, that he has known 

 consumptive people recover by their means. 



It is the emblem of perfect excellence. Tyas remarks, 

 that an illustrious French writer conceived the design of com- 



