34 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUKiST, 



will be difficult to tell from what particular source they 

 originated. Yet, if there be any feeble or tender element 

 in their composition, it will be constantly showing itself, 

 and a continual source of annoyance to the cultivator. It 

 is for this reason that it is always desirable to know as 

 much of the history and origin of a fruit as possible, 

 specially if it is to be selected as the parent from which 

 aew varieties are to be produced. 



There are instances where a species has succeeded better 

 in a foreign country than at home ; but such cases are only 

 exceptional, and where the climates are similar, or the spe- 

 cies naturally had a very wide range in latitude. 



The Strawberry is probably more widely distributed than 

 any other plant we cultivate. 



The Fragaria vesoa, or Alpine Strawberry, grows in the 

 mountains of Greece and northward to Britain, where, in 

 the latter country, it assumes a different form, and is there 

 called the Wood Strawberry. 



The principal difference between the two is in the 

 form of the fruit, the Alpine being conical, while tlie 

 Wood varieties are round. The Alpine Strawberry is also 

 a native of North America, being found in high woods and 

 fields in most of the ISTorthern States, and far to the North 

 in the Canadas. There appear to be several natural varie- 

 ties of this species in Europe, which have been known for 

 several centuries. In 1483, the garden of the Bishop of 

 Ely, at Ilolborn, in England, was celebrated for its excel- 

 lent Strawberries. They were probably the common Wood 

 Strawberries of the country — one with red fruit, the other 

 white. The Alpines were introduced into England some 

 two hundred years later. There are two original varieties 

 the same in color as the Wood StraAvberries. There are 

 also monthly varieties, and those which do not produce 

 runners. 



The original species or varieties appear to persistently 

 retain their normal characteristics under all the varied 



