I 101 ] 



VI. On the Cultivation of Strawberries. By Thomas An- 

 drew Knight, Esq. F.R.S. fyc. President. 



Read December 21, 1824. 



Mr. Keens has published, in the Transactions of the 

 Horticultural Society,* some excellent observations upon the 

 proper modes of managing different varieties of the Straw- 

 berry ; in conjunction, however, with some oxjinions which I 

 do not think well founded : and as I rarely see in the gardens 

 of my friends that which is, in my opinion, even a moderately 

 good crop of Strawberries, I shall proceed to state some con- 

 clusions which theory and practice have conjointly led me to 

 draw, relatively to the most advantageous modes of culture 

 of those species and varieties of fruit. 



I perfectly coincide in ojnnion with Mr. Keens, that the 

 spring is the only proper season for planting. At that season 

 of the year, the ground, having been properly worked and 

 manured, will long continue light and permeable to the 

 roots, which will consequently descend during the summer 

 deeply into the soil. Abundant foliage will be produced, 

 which will be fully exposed, through the summer, to the 

 light ; and much true sap will be generated, whilst very little, 

 comparatively, will be expended ; for if any fruit stalks appear, 

 those should be taken off. In the following season, as Mr. 

 Keens has justly observed, a superior crop will be borne, 

 than by plants of greater age, or differently cultivated. 



When plantations of Strawberries are made, as they usu- 



* Vol, ii. page 392. 



