Ti ;b StRawberrV. 



573 



give 6in. less between the 

 rows ; and if grown as 

 annuals, a system of culture 

 I will refer to, then space need 

 not be so great, say i8in. 

 between the rows and the 

 same between the plants. 

 Light soils may be improved 

 by adding heavy materials, 

 such as clay, marl, or cow 

 manure used as a mulch in 

 the summer after the fruit is 

 over, or lightly forked in early 

 in April. 



Growing Strawberries 



b STRAWBERRIES /.V BARRELS (ENGLISH WAY). 



in tubs seems to have become 



popular, and one illustration was reproduced from a photograph kindly sent from America 

 by Mr. J. P. Ohmer, of Dayton, Ohio, and the other by Mr. Worsley Taylor. Mr. Taylor writes 

 in COUNTRY Life that the plants have yielded most gratifying results, " having produced 

 an abundance of excellent fruit, which, being kept from the ground and freely exposed to the 

 influence of sun and air, was ail that could be wished in the matter of appearance and flavour. 

 There are three tiers of holes in each barrel, six holes in a tier, and the plants are put in at the 

 same time as the barrel is filled with loam, this being done about the month of February. The 

 top is also planted, and the necessary watering of the plants is done from overhead." 



VARIETIES. — An open position is best for the general crop, and a south or south-west 

 border for the earliest, whilst a north border under a wall is excellent for the latest, such' 

 as Latest of All, a splendid variety, or Oxonian, a verv late variety, but not a rich fruit. 

 Waterloo also is good for a north border ; it is a nearly black" fruit of good quality. For a 

 south border the variety Vicomtesse H. de Thury is one of the best ; also Royal Sovereign, 

 which is even earlier and remarkably productive, but Vicomtesse is best for preserving, 

 and also such kinds as Grove End Scarlet and Lord Suffield. These may be placed a little 

 closer when grown specially for preserves. For mid-season supplies, President, La Grosse 

 Sucree, British Queen, Sir C. Napier, and Veitch's Perfection are all good ; and in addition 

 to these, for latest supplies, 1 have named Latest of All. To this may be added Oxonian, 

 Elton Pine, Frogmore Late Pine, Waterloo, Lord Suffield, and Loxford Hall Seedling. If mere 

 variety is needed for July supplies, such kinds as Dr. Hogg, James Veitch, Princess of Wales, 

 Countess, and Helene Gloede may be added. 



STRAWBERRIES AS ANNUALS. — A good way is to grow the plants in the way I have 

 described. Plants grown in poor or light soils answer thoroughly. In one way it adds to labour, 

 but in another this is saved, as the land is in better condition for the next crop. Mv system is 

 this : The runners are secured as early as possible — this is essential. Planting is done in July, 

 and the plants must get ample supplies of moisture, as they have, like the forced plants, to 

 make their growth in one season. Strawberries grown in this way need high cultivation, 

 ample manures, and the land is trenched. It is surprising what growth these plants will make 

 in one season and the quantities of splendid fruit they give, finer than that from plants grown 

 on tlie old system of planting later and without a large crop the first vear. Royal Sovereign, 

 La Grosse Sucree, and President succeed splendidly when treated as yearlings, but of course 

 this way of culture is only advised for dessert fruits, not for cooking or preserving. Plants 

 will thrive for the shorter season that fail under the three years' culture ; and the ground 

 after the Strawberry crop is cleared — 1 mean the one crop taken — is in good condition, without 

 manuring or much preparation, for vegetable crops. 



