THE STRAWBERRY. 



153 



The sixth is the Pine or Old Carolina strawberry, the origin 

 of which is rather obscure ; and here again there appear to have 

 been two varieties — one introduced into France about the middle 

 of the last century and described by Poiteau ; the other intro- 

 duced into England from Holland, which seems to have become 

 the parent of the greater part of our largest and best English 

 strawberries. 



Thus we dispose of the original species, and now come to 

 consider the strawberries as they are at the present time, and 

 as they appear before us to-day. 



These M. Vilmorin places in one great group of Hybrid 

 strawberries, numbering many hundreds, if not thousands. I 

 shall not attempt to classify them, and I am free to confess I 

 hardly know how — they seem to be so hopelessly intermingled 

 the one with the other, and changes still go on. 



Although no direct record is to be had of the progress made 

 in the raising of new varieties and the gradual improvement of 

 this fruit, we are face to face with the fact that during the present 

 century every variety now cultivated has been introduced to our 

 notice ; and if we care to look back 250 years, we shall find our- 

 selves reduced to this — the common Wood strawberry. No better 

 evidence than this is required. Slowly but surely has the im- 

 provement been going on. All honour to those patient workers 

 and keen observers who have done so much, and to wdiom we 

 are indebted for all these beautiful fruits we now enjoy. 



It is extremely interesting to note, amidst the gradual develop- 

 ment taking place, the occasional advent of some standard 

 variety, which stands out clear and bold like a finger-post 

 pointing the way onwards. 



There are, to my mind, eight of these leading sorts which are 

 deserving of special record : — 



1. Keens' Seedling. — Eaised by Mr. Keens, market gardener, 

 Isleworth, 1821. This variety, when exhibited before the Horti- 

 cultural Society in 1821, created quite a sensation, so greatly was 

 it then in advance of all others. 



2. British Queen. — Eaised by Mr. Myatt, market gardener, 

 Deptford, about 1840. The grandest strawberry ever introduced. 



3. Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury. — Eaised by M. Jamin, of 

 Bourg La Eeine, Paris, and introduced into this country about 

 1850. A favourite early variety. 



