15 



W. R. r. has devoted special attention for the last 15 yenrs to perfect- 

 ing our Collection by importations in part, but principally by seeds, and 

 he has striven to combine, as far as po.ssi))le, the foUo'tving properties : 

 1st, Size ; 2d, Quality and Flavor ; od, Productiveness ; 4th, Beauty. 



SEXUALITY AND SELECTION OF PLANTS. 



Strawberry Plants arc of three characters ; 1st, Staminate. or Male, 

 ftonle ; 2d, Hermaphrodite, or Bisexual, more or letis productive; 3d, Pistil- 

 late, or Female, very produdive. The first two have been usually referred 

 to as one, by ourselves and others, when speaking of impregnators-; tha 

 term Staminate being usually applied to the second as well as the tirst 

 in contradistinction to the Pistillate varieties. The Hermaplirodite or 

 Bisexual class comprises two very distinct divisions : lot. Varieties pro- 

 ducing flowers that invariably combine the two sexes ; 2d, Varieties pro- 

 ducing distinct Bisexual and Pistillate liowers on the same plant. All 

 these sexual characteristics, as above stated, are normal and perinanent. 

 It is indispensably necessary that the Pistillate varieties be accompanied 

 by about one-twentieth of some Staminate or Hermaphrodite variety, 

 and they will then prove invaria])ly productive. This course was re- 

 commended in our Treatise on Horticulture, published in 1828, since 

 which it has been adopted by Nicholas Longworth, of Ohio, and others, 

 but without crediting the source. 



CULTURE. 



It is requisite that the ground for Strawberry-Beds be perfectly free 

 from all weeds and their seeds. The preferable soil is a rich, firm loam, 

 that retains moisture, but sufficiently friable for filtration, which should 

 be highly manured ; but the manure nnist be decomposed, without a pos- 

 sibility of nauseous weeds being introduced therewith. 



The beds should be three feet wide, and be planted with four rd«\vs of 

 plants lengthwise, and a foot apart each way. This width will admit of 

 all the fruit being gathered from the sides without trampling on any 

 plants. A path, of about fifteen laches in width, should be left between 

 the beds. 



The best periods for Spring planting are the month of April for this 

 and more northern latitudes, aiul the months of February and March for 

 the more Southern States. And for the plantations, after fruiting, we 

 prefer the month.s of August and September in this latitude and North 

 of it. and the months of September and October for the more Southcra 

 localities. The early autumnal planting has this superiority — such plants 

 will produce a fair crop the ensuing summei-. 



The formation of l)eds after the manner above proposed, is especially 

 intended for the Pistillate or Female varieties in Field Culture for mar- 

 ket, as they possess the great advantage of being allowed to run together 

 in a mass, and will, in thi.v mode, bear profusei3\ which is the most eco- 

 nomical and profitable course of culture ; whereas tlie larger Hermaphro- 

 dite varieties will not produce a fair crop unless they arc cultivviod as 

 distinct plants, or in rows, and kept clear of runners at a heavy expense. 

 There can be no such result as a fivilure in the crops of Pibtillate varie- 

 ties (when accompanied by Staminates or Hermaphrodites). Jivery Pis- 

 iiUaUtarie'y is produetire, varying only in abundance. The Hermaphro- 



