STRAWBERRY. 367 



When in full perfection, it is accounted one of the 

 most wholesome ; and as its flavour is most grateful, 

 it is universally esteemed. 



From the different varieties now in cultivation, 

 supplies for table may be gathered in the open air 

 during seven or eight months of the year ; and, if 

 desired, may be had by artificial means for the four 

 remaining months. By a proper selection from the 

 sorts hereafter described, and by following the di- 

 rections herein given, the results alluded to may be 

 obtained. 



In the early part of the writer's life, the hautbois, 

 the scarlet Virginian, and the Carolina, were the 

 only sorts cultivated ; and of these most excellent 

 crops were then produced. The first was super- 

 seded, in market gardens, by the Carolina, soon 

 after its introduction ; but the hawkers in the streets 

 have not abolished the name, for hohoys are still 

 cried in the same tone they were seventy years ago. 

 True it is, several very superior varieties have been 

 lately raised ; but it is a question whether any of the 

 new are really superior in flavour to those above- 

 mentioned. That the new ones are larger, some of 

 them more prolific, and consequently more profit- 

 able, must be admitted ; but whether they will main- 

 tain their present characters as long as the old sorts, 

 is perhaps doubtful. 



1. Duke of Rentes Scarlet S. — Ripens about the 

 middle of May, or about eight or ten days sooner 

 than the scarlet Virginian. The fruit are under the 



