BOOKS RECEIVED. 



1085 



and cultivate them, designed for amateurs, but suitable to many so-called 

 gardeners also. 



"The Book of the Strawberry." By Edwin Beckett. (Lane, 

 London.) 2s. Gd. 



Raspberries and Blackberries are also treated of. Full cultural 

 directions are given both for outdoor growing and for forcing. The 

 Alpines and the Perpetuals (as they are called) are also noticed. As 

 regards the varieties to be grown we know of no fruit which varies so 

 much on different soils ; for example, 1 Latest of AH,' described as " one 

 of the best late varieties," is, on our light soil, not only absolutely untrue 

 to its name, but is in flavour positively nasty ; and though we persevered 

 with it for three seasons we had at last to entirely discard it, whereas we 

 have tasted it excellent from heavy lands. Anyone wishing to grow Straw- 

 berries, and knowing nothing about them, should try various varieties one 

 after another, only retaining such as suit the soil. 1 Veitch's Perfection ' 

 is another example. It is absolutely perfect when you can get it, as we 

 are told you can easily, on moderately heavy soils, but on a light sandy 

 soil we had three long rows of it, and only gathered a dozen sizable 

 fruits. Again, 'Countess,' which is on the light soil the finest-flavoured 

 berry we have ever met with, is, we are told, in some soils comparatively 

 worthless. We notice in the selection of varieties no mention is made 

 of 'Queen of Denmark,' which, though perhaps small, is a thoroughly 

 good doer and of excellent flavour, second only to ' Countess.' For 

 private gardens ' Auguste Boisselot ' should not be overlooked. It is too 

 soft and tender to bear travelling, but where it can be gathered straight 

 into the dessert-dish and taken at once into the house there is no berry 

 more pleasant and refreshing to the palate. Strawberry growers will find 

 great assistance from this work. 



