368 



StRAWBfiRRir. 



SECT XXIV. 



OF THE SERVICE TREE. 



This, as a fruit, has never been much esteemed 

 in this country. The trees are not early bearers ; 

 and being of slow growth, there are but few aged 

 ones in full bearing to form a fair judgment of : and 

 even in its best perfection, it is in this country infe- 

 rior to the medlar. 



The cultivated sort is the pear-shaped, which is a 

 small fruit, borne on the points of the branches; 

 and, when gathered, requires to be laid in the fruit- 

 room till the pulp is in a state of decay, when it is 

 fit for the table. Decay changes the crudeness of 

 the juice into a mild acid, much more relished in 

 warm countries than in this. 



The true service cannot be raised from seeds. In 

 this respect it is like our other orchard fruit, not 

 one seedling proving like its parent. Young trees 

 are raised by layers, and which make roots very 

 slowly, as they remain on the stool for two years at 

 least before they are fit for removal. Nurserymen 

 are very seldom applied to for the plant. 



SECT. XXV. 



OF THE STRAWBERRY. 



This fruit is very aptly named /ra^wwi by the La* 

 tins, and fragaria by botanists, expressive of the 

 high and fragrant scent emitted by the ripe fruit. 



