THE JOURNAL 



> 9 JUL. 1901 OF THE 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Vol. XIV. No. 4. 



JULY, 1907. 



MODERN STRAWBERRY GROWING. 

 L — Varieties. 



When we practise " high " or intensive cultivation for fruits 

 and vegetables, the principal object we have in view is the 

 production of notable individual plants and heavy crops, and- 

 not the longevity of the species. This is equally the case, 

 whether the system of propagation be seminal or vegetative. 

 The former should, in theory, lead to maintained vigour; that 

 it does not do so may be attributable to the fact that few 

 people take sufficient care in making selections of good types 

 when saving plants for seed. Where vegetative reproduction 

 is concerned, selection can play but a minor part in maintain- 

 ing vigour, and the " higher " the cultivation the less chance- 

 there is of lasting success. 



" Sir Joseph Paxton." — The variety of strawberry known as- 

 " Sir Joseph Paxton " may be adduced as an illustration. It 

 has held so strong a place in the regard of cultivators that the 

 mention of it instantly engages attention, but its constitution 

 has become so impaired that its retention as the most 

 important modern variety must be seriously challenged. 

 Growers show a natural reluctance to believe that the falling 

 away of " Sir Joseph Paxton " is other than temporary, and 

 hope that some means will be found to restore it to its pristine 

 vigour. For my own part, glad as I should be if I could see 

 any real hope of this most desirable consummation, I am bound 

 to consider it in connection with what has happened to certain 

 other sorts, once largely grown, but now practically forgotten. 



(1824) N 



