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THE CULTIVATION OF THE STRAWBERRY. 



pistil, the most complicated of all the parts, that which demands 

 the longest period for its perfect formation, but which is the 

 latest that the flower produces, and which is to become the fruit, 

 is a mere tuft of abortions, incapable of quickening, and shrivel- 

 ling into pitch-black threads as soon as it is fully in contact with 

 the air." 



When plenty of air is given at ail times, strawberries will set 

 in a heat of seventy degrees, while if kept without or under such 

 a temperature, many flowers will be more or less blind, and what 

 fruit does ripen will be badly formed. 



I have raised large crops from plants that have never been in 

 pots at all. on a plan which I described in Loudon's Magazine, 

 in 1837. The plants were Keens' seedling: the runners were 

 taken off as soon as they had rooted w ell, planted in a bed of 

 prepared mould, and attended to with water during the autumn. 

 Towards February they were taken up, with good balls, and 

 planted, eight or ten inches apart each way, in a frame or pit. 

 They were then brought on gradually, and strange to say. after 

 they have set. they thrive av ell with a bottom heat fit for the 

 cucumber. It was astonishing to see how fast the fruit swelled 

 when kept moist. The pits (at Dyrham Park) held each 150 

 plants, and the plants produced double the quantity of fruit that 

 could be °;rown in pots. 



I have often practised this plan since with excellent results. 



After the crops have been gathered the pots are taken out of 

 the houses, or pits, and the plants are either planted out in the 

 open ground at once, or kept till the ground becomes vacant for 

 the next year's crop, and for the runners for the present year's 

 potting. The plants turned out invariably bear an excellent 

 crop the second year, and after this is gathered. I destroy them ; 

 I have practised this plan these fifteen years. Xo doubt they 

 would bear a third year, but not to remunerate me while I pay 

 a rent of 35/. per annum for one acre of ground and a small 

 cottage. 



From single plants in the open ground, both of the British 

 Queen and Keens' Seedling, treated in the above manner, I have 

 taken 2$. 6d.. selling them in pottles weighing each twelve 

 ounces. With this fact before them people will scarcely adhere 

 to the old plan of beds all huddled together ; where the plants 

 get no sun, no air. and are full of snails, slugs, wire-worms, &c. ; 

 where they give a small stinted crop one year and none at all 

 the next. It will be almost needless for me to mention sorts. 

 Mr. Mvatt. of Deptford, has done much in improving our breeds 

 of strawberries by raising seedlings; no one can doubt this who 

 has seen a British Queen. 



Mm Black Prince is a very prolific kind, and very early. I 



