STRAWBERRIES. 



245 



ner makes greater progress along a moist surface 

 than it does along one that is dry. On a large 

 scale, the runners for propagation are allowed 

 to root in soil adjoining the plants ; it should 

 therefore be dug or forked over and made fine 

 for the roots to strike into, which they will soon 

 do if it is kept moist and they are closely in 

 contact with it; and this, in many cases, can 

 be easily secured by placing a bit of stone on 

 the runner. 



As soon as the young plant has developed a 

 few leaves, the runner from it should be 

 removed. On a small scale, and to obtain 

 plants for forcing, 3 -inch pots can be very 

 advantageously employed; these to be filled 

 with good rich soil, and then buried in the 

 ground nearly to the brim. As soon as the bud 

 at the first joint of the runner has developed 

 a few leaves, it should be pressed closely upon 

 the soil in the pot, and kept in contact with it 

 either by means of a small hooked peg or a 

 small stone. 



The Strawberry may be propagated, in cases 

 of emergency or in the absence of runners, by 

 division of the plant; but it is neither a sure 

 nor an expeditious method, for the plants are 

 apt to fail, and, if they do take root, they grow 

 but slowly compared with young plants from 

 runners, and are apt to die off in winter. The 

 best time to divide them is early in spring, 

 before the young leaves expand, or in August, 

 whilst there is heat in the ground to encourage 

 the growth of roots before winter. If done in 

 August, the old leaves should be mostly taken 

 off. The plants must be protected from the 

 direct rays of the sun till they have struck 

 root, and the ground should be kept moderately 

 moist. They ought to be mulched, before 

 winter, with leaves, or any kind of litter that 

 will afford some protection during severe frost. 



Insects, &c. — See chapter on this subject. 

 Fruit Enemies (p. 74) — Birds, Slugs, and Snails. 

 Leaf Enemies (p. 79)— Black Vine Weevil, Red- 

 legged Garden Weevil. Root Enemies (p. 99) — 

 Daddy Long-legs, Ghost Swift Moth, Red-legged 

 Garden Weevil, Rose Chafer. 



The following descriptive list of varieties 

 of Strawberries has been supplied by Messrs. 

 Laxton Brothers of Bedford, whose collection 

 of varieties is probably the largest known, and 

 whose efforts to raise new and improved seed- 

 lings have met with exceptional success : — 



Aberdeen Favourite. — A fine late variety with handsome 

 bright-crimson fruit, much grown in the north, and suc- 

 ceeds well in Bedford. 



Admiral Dundas. — An old and well-tried mid-season 

 variety, of a bright-red colour, fruit inclined to be slightly 

 furrowed, of large size, wonderfully prolific, and good 

 flavour. 



A. F. Barren. — A large first-class mid-season fruit, 

 varnished or glossy- scarlet in colour, raised from Sir J. 

 Paxton crossed with Sir C. Napier. A valuable main- 

 crop Strawberry, and good for forcing purposes. 



Amateur. — A very large variety of the President type, 

 but larger in size and better in flavour. Succeeds well in 

 some localities, rather soft in the flesh. 



Auyuste Boisselot. — A fine French variety, which has 

 recently come into much prominence. A main-crop variety, 

 large, and finely flavoured. 



Auguste Nicaise. — The splendid large Strawberry sent 

 by the Earl of Pembroke to the late Emperor Frederick 

 I William in his last days. An excellent variety both for 

 growing in the open and probably the best of all for forcing. 

 In addition to its enormous size the fruit is very beautiful, 

 firm of flesh, of regular size, and of good flavour. The 

 plant is free and productive. 



Bicton White Pine. — The true white Strawberry. Heavy 

 cropper, rich pine flavour; worth cultivating as a novelty. 



Black Prince. — A very early small dark-coloured, good- 

 flavoured fruit, njuch grown for earliest supplies and 

 preserving. 



Bothwell Bank. — A good, hardy, and fertile sort, some- 

 what after the style of President, but brighter in colour. 



British Queen (see Plate). — The richest flavoured of all 

 Strawberries, sweet and vinous, large and bright-coloured, 

 but not ripening regularly; plant of vigorous growth, but 

 requires a deep and warm soil and high cultivation. 



Captain. — A beautiful Strawberry, very early, large 

 and handsome, of a brilliant wavy-scarlet colour, good 

 quality, and travels well. An excellent market and table 

 fruit, a free-grower, coming in before Sir J. Paxton. 



Climax (see Plate). — A cross between Latest of All and 

 Waterloo. It is intermediate between its parents, par- 

 taking of the enormous cropping qualities of Latest of 

 All with the firmness of flesh of Waterloo. Flavour rich, 

 colour bright glossy - crimson, flesh firm and solid. A 

 standard late variety. 



Cockscomb. — Fruit large, ovate, occasionally cockscomb- 

 shaped, pale-scarlet with white flesh, prominent seeds, 

 richly flavoured ; mid-season. 



Commander. — A distinct and fine-flavoured main-crop 

 Strawberry ; plant hardy and most prolific ; will grow 

 and succeed well where British Queen fails. 



Competitor. — Ripens immediately after Xoble. ex- 

 tremely prolific and of good constitution, fruit large, 

 conical, flavour moderate ; best in dry seasons. 



Comte de Paris. — A favourite with those who prefer a 

 brisk-flavoured fruit ; berry obtuse or heart-shaped : mid- 

 season. 



Countess (see Plate). — Large second early fruit, good 

 colour and flavour, and of handsome cockscomb shape. 



Crescent Seedling (American Scarlet. Little Gem). — An 

 early American sort, tried and recommended by the Royal 

 Horticultural Society as the earliest Strawberry and a 

 free-bearer suitable for market purposes : a hardy and 

 distinct variety. 



Br. Hogg. — One of the finest of all late Strawberries. 

 of large size, quality first-rate, but does not succeed in all 

 localities ; considered by many superior to British Queen. 



Dr. Morere. — This well-known Freuch variety is. par 

 excellence, the Strawberry grown in France both for 

 market, forcing, and general purposes, and is as popular 

 there as Sir J. Paxton is in this country; fruit highly 



