^88 JOURNAL OF *HE HoYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Strawbeeeies constitute, under some circumstances, a 
profitable crop, but (i) they are expensive to cultivate ; (ii) in 
seasons of abundance the prices fall low ; (iii) the fruit is liable 
to be damaged by excessively wet weather ; (iv) a dry season 
will greatly reduce the supply ; and (v) late frosts will occasion- 
ally spoil a whole crop. 
Notwithstanding these difficulties, however, and the increas- 
ing number of home growers, Strawberries, if well managed, still 
give a good return for the outlay, as it is almost the only fruit 
that is free from the competition of foreign growers. Early 
fruits of large size and bright colour always realise good prices ; 
but they must be placed on the market quickly, for the value is 
rapidly reduced as the supply increases, and the profits are not 
large on those sold at preserving prices. 
The essentials of success with Strawberries may be summed 
up briefly as follows : Grow prolific varieties bearing large, bright, 
handsome fruit, firm enough to stand carriage well, and of good 
flavour, if that character can be combined with the previous 
ones, which are of more importance from a market point of view. 
Plant early, keep the ground clear of weeds, supply manure 
liberally, renew the plantations every three or four years at the 
most, gather frequently and early enough in the day for the 
best fruit to be carefully sorted and sold in punnets, exclude all 
damaged fruits, pack firmly, and endeavour to have the fruit on 
sale as speedily as possible. 
GoosEBEERiES generally bring but small prices, but they 
afford regular crops, the cultivation is not costly, there is a 
general demand, and there are two distinct seasons for sale — 
when the fruit is green and when it is ripe, Avhich is a consider- 
able advantage. 
Large early green Gooseberries bring the best returns, and 
the grower who can secure the market with good samples a few 
days in advance of the general supply is sure of a satisfactory 
price. Exceptionally fine, well-selected, ripe fruits can also be 
sold profitably in punnets ; but tlie bulk of the crop must be 
disposed of at ** popular prices," either for eating fresh or pre- 
serving. Large quantities of green Gooseberries are now pre- 
served whole in bottles, and this provides an outlet for good 
fruit when tlic first prices arc reduced. Only large, firm, perfect 
fruit can, however, be itscd for this purpose. 
