AUGUST. 



109 



handsome present of Grapes from Lord Portman on Friday, the 10th of 

 July, and looked round. They were much pleased with the Peaches and 

 " remanets " of the crops of Strawberries, especially with Eliza. 



3. Eclipse. — This is early and good, and of a peculiar aromatic flavour. 

 The plant is hardy and a good cropper. 



4. Marguerite. — This is earlier than the former ; the crop has been great, 

 and the size of the berries enormous. The flavour is good for so large a 

 Strawberry. I measured one berry and found it to be over 7 inches in cir- 

 cumference. The leaves are glazed. It is a remarkable Strawberry and 

 worthy of adoption. The berries want the fine colouring of Sanspareil. Frost 

 has no effect whatever on the plant. 



5. President. — This is hardy, and the fruit of good flavour. The flesh is 

 solid to the centre. The berries are large and sufficiently abundant. 



6. Lucas ; 7, Emma — both Belgians ; are good, and good growers, and 

 good bearers. The former is, I believe, a seedling from La Constante ; 

 but neither is, I think, equal to La Constante as to crop, form, colour, 

 firmness, evenness of berry, and flavour. But as plants they are both 

 stronger and quicker growers, and would be more likely to suit diverse soils 

 and situations. 



8. Sanspareil. — This is one of the hardiest and most robust Strawberry 

 plants that I have ever had ; it is one of the greatest croppers, and crops for a 

 long while. The fruit is rather buttery and acid, and of good coned form, and 

 of brilliant red colour. It is a useful family sort. Frost has no effect on the 

 plant. 



9. Boisselot Seedling No. 1 (Nantes). — This is later than the Frogmore Late 

 Pine, It is hardy and of robust habit; a heavy cropper, of good size and 

 flavour. It immediately precedes Eleanor. 



I still recommend these older sorts— 10, Rivers' Eliza; 11, Wonderful; 

 12, Empress Eugenie; 18, Trollope's Victoria; 14, Bicton White Pine; 

 15, Alice Maud ; 16, Eleanor ; 17, the old Red and White Alpines ; 18, Scarlet 

 Pine; and 19, La Constante. The two last are extra in flavour. From the 

 Scarlet Pine I think the Rival Queen was derived ; but it is not so good a 

 setter. 



Mr. Taylor, of Fencote, Yorkshire, speaks of La Constante as extra extra. 

 This summer has suited it here. The crop and flavour have been very good. 

 Messrs. Leach and Knox, however, Avere loudest in the praises of the Frogmore 

 Pines which had not been previously picked; they were thoroughly ripe and 

 good, though not, in my opinion, equal to La Constante. 



If the readers of the Fjlokist and Pomologist select from these nineteen 

 sorts they cannot be hurt ; and I think they must find what they want. Mr. 

 de^ Jonghe says La Constante likes land "neither too strong nor too light, 

 neither too wet nor too dry." The others, I should say, could be grown in diverse 

 soils and localities. There are other excellent first-class Strawberries which do 

 not suit my soil : these I must leave to other people to recommend. Suit- 

 ability is the soul of life ; it is of no use keeping unsuitable Roses and Straw- 

 berries, however good they may be in certain soils and localities. There are 

 some Roses and Strawberries that will do nothing without alumina in some 

 form or other. 



I must not forget to observe that after our review we had supper and a 

 pleasant chat. It would be a good and improving thiug if these re-unions 

 took place more frequently. If the review fails, there is still the pleasant 

 chat and the supper. I have never studied comparative anatomy, but I believe 

 that the nearest way to the human heart is down the throat. 



Rushton. W. F. Radclypfe. 



