6j2 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



kinds which appeared to us most worthy of note, either as 

 possessing in a high degree a combination of various good qualities, 

 or as being specially adapted for some particular purpose. Earli- 

 ness, productiveness, perfume, and fine flavour are qualities which 

 every one will appreciate in a Strawberry, and it is according to 

 the merit of varieties in these different respects that the amateur 

 who grows them in his own garden for his own use will select 

 the kinds of Strawberries which suit him best to plant. But the 

 private gardener who forces them for an early crop, or the market- 

 gardener who grows them on a large scale to supply the markets, 

 must look for other qualities in the kinds which he takes in hand, 

 especially if the fruit which he intends to sell has to be carried to a 

 distant market. In the latter case, the property of bearing carriage 

 without being damaged is one of such high importance that very 

 often the possession of it is sufficient to decide the selection of the 

 kinds which make their appearance in the markets. 



All -the varieties of cultivated Strawberries have in common the 

 advantage of being remarkably early, and they supply the first fruit 

 that ripens in spring. As the attentions which their culture requires 

 vary to some extent according to the species from which the varieties 

 have sprung, we shall give only some very general instructions on the 

 subject. The germinating power oftheseeds lastsforaboutthreeyears. 



Culture. — Almost all the varieties of Strawberries suffer from 

 dry and excessively warm weather ; it is therefore advisable to 

 plant them in cool, moist ground, and in a position somewhat 

 sheltered from the burning rays of the sun. If a little time is thereby 

 lost, the produce, on the other hand, will be more abundant and 

 more prolonged. The hardiness of Strawberries is such that they 

 will withstand the winter without any protection from frost, but 

 almost all the varieties are injured by an excess of moisture at that 

 time of the year, and are liable to rot at the root if planted in 

 badly drained ground. Once the warm weather has arrived, 

 however, Strawberry plants, on the contrary, require to be 

 plentifully watered, and it will generally be found advantageous to 

 give them a good mulching with stable manure or straw, which, by 

 preventing evaporation, will keep the roots cool and moist, so that 

 the plants will not require to be so frequently watered. 



Uses. — The fruit, which is excellent and very wholesome, is 

 eaten fresh, and is also used for preserves, etc. 



WILD, or WOOD, STRAWBERRY 



Fragaria vesca, L. 



Fraisier des bois. 



Native of Europe. — Perennial. — A herbaceous, stoloniferous 

 plant. Leaves composed of three folded toothed leaflets, which 



