184 Account and Description of Strawberries. 



of ripening no longer exists. This variety first bore fruit at 

 Pitmaston, in 1808. It was produced from seed of the Old 

 Black. 



It is a good bearer, ripening about the same time as the Old 

 Black. The fruit is of moderate size, ovate, with a neck, 

 slightly hairy, of a very dark purplish red next the sun ; the 

 seeds are slightly embedded in the skin ; the flesh is solid, 

 scarlet, very firm, buttery and richly flavoured. The calyx is 

 large and reflexed. The leaves are nearly similar to those 

 of the Old Black, but rather weaker, the surface not so much 

 furrowed, of a more shining green and thinner texture. 

 The scapes are very short, stiff, hairy, branched, with short 

 peduncles, and blossoms like its parent. 



It is an excellent Strawberry, very closely allied to the Old 

 Black, which it surpasses in productiveness, but is apparently 

 tender, and rather a shy grower. Mr. Williams, who trans- 

 mitted the plants, reported that he considered the kind more 

 hardy, and that it stood the winter better than its parent. 



3. Gibbss Seedling Black Strawberry. Was received from 

 the nursery of Mr. Thomas Gibbs, at Ampthill, in Bedford- 

 shire, it having been raised by him in 1818, from seed of the 

 Old Black. 



It is a moderate bearer, but more productive than its parent, 

 ripening rather late. The fruit is conical, small, hairy, with 

 a neck, when ripe very dark purplish red next the sun ; seeds 

 slightly embedded in the skin ; the flesh scarlet, firm, very 

 highly flavoured. The calyx is large and reflexed. The 

 footstalks of the leaves, dwarf, upright, weak, slightly hairy ; 

 the leaflets are very small, elliptical or oblong, with fine 



