HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 369 



this variety and even Mr. Prince will become a convert, rambunxious* as 

 you deem him. But it Mr. Meehari should, which I do not believe, throw 

 Prince on his back, I fear you will have a greater difficulty to encounter, 

 and have nothing but the doctrines of Science and Linnaeus to sustain you 

 against the judgment of the illiterate German woman, and the evidence 

 given in our thousands acres of tbe Strawberry in our wild prairies when 

 you say " the Strawberry in it natural state has perfect flowers, is furnished 

 with pistils and stamens ; chance seedlings, produce, under a high state of 

 cultivation, flowers in which the stamens are abortive. Left to themselves 

 they return to their natural condition of flowers with perfect parts" 



For facts are chiels that winna ding 

 And downa be disputed," 



even by science. Yours Truly, 



N. LONGWORTH. 



Our correspondent Mr. Longworth, has italicised his quotation from our 

 remarks in the last number. We are willing to re-iterate them, even in 

 capitals, if he wishes, and will let them, stand until disproved. We contend 

 that if a pistillate plant, which is a monstrosity, be left to itself, it will en- 

 deavor to perforin the object of its existence, which is reproduction, and 

 will devclope the abortive stamens and thus become a perfect flower, which 

 Mr. Longworth to the contrary notwithstanding, is its natural state. 



* We are a little in doubt about the spelling of this word; but we think it should be ram- 

 bunctious. 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 



Fruits. 

 Strawberries — Should now receive a final dressing up for the season, by 

 cleaning between the rows and forking in a layer of manure. A covering 

 of short manure or tan bark will be necessary to preserve the more delicate 

 and superior varieties. Where tree leaves are plentiful they answer this* 

 purpose admirably, throwing a sprinkling of soil over them to prevent dis- 

 placement by wind. Tan bark has many advocates in strawberry culfcfrrlsi 

 As a specific manure we would not trust much to its efficacy in any case, but 

 as a mulcher in summer, and to protect tender roots in winter, its efficien- 

 cy cannot be dtfubted. Plants in pots intended for an early crop should 

 now be placed under cover. A glazed frame or the floor of a cold grapery 

 would be the best situation for them, but any spare cover will do, so that 

 they can be secured from wet and severe frost; opportunities should be em- 

 braced in removing all dead and decaying foliage, surface stirring and top 

 dressing, preparatory to starting them into growth. 

 47 



