June IddO J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
521 
T he strawberry season is just commencing, and for a period of 
two or three weeks the growers for market will have a busy 
time. In the Kentish gardens “ the pickers ” are taking up their 
■quarters, and the farmers are preparing for a rich harvest. The 
;general report is favourable as regards bulk of crop, but it is late, 
and that is an'important matter, though as it affects all nearly 
equally except those in very favourable situations, the average 
price will not be much influenced. Dwellers in large towns are 
accustomed to seeing a great influx of Strawberries at the close of 
June and early in July—markets, shops, and hawkers’ barrows are 
plentifully stocked with the tempting fruits at prices that come 
within the reach of all would-be consumers. Few, however, 
beyond those immediately concerned with the large fruit markets 
have the least idea what an extensive business it represents, what a 
number of persons it employs, and what an amount of money is 
turned over in dealings for this fruit alone in the course of a 
month. 
Kent may fairly claim to be the headquarters of the Straw¬ 
berry industry, and in one district alone, within a radius of two or 
three miles of Mr. Cannell’s Home of Flowers, there are some 
hundreds of acres occupied with Strawberries, from which probably 
a far greater weight of fruit is sent to the London and provincial 
markets than from any other district in the kingdom. ^lany tons 
are dispatched from Swanley Junction each week of “ the season,” 
■either for sale as fresh fruit or for conversion into jam. Having 
€uch large quantities to deal with the growers have to employ 
eonsiderable numbers of pickers, who are paid so much per peck, 
the price varying according to the time of day when the fruit is 
gathered, the best price going for that obtained in early morning, 
hlen, women, and children are employed, and must require close 
supervision to ensure the necessary care in handling the fruit, and 
having regard to the treatment so delicate a fruit has to endure it is 
surprising that such good samples reach the markets. In too many 
■cases very little care is taken in packing and sorting, the fruits are 
dispatched in large baskets just as gathered to save time, and the 
average price must be greatly lowered in consequence. When, 
however, the Strawberry market really commences it is a rush 
with all to place their fruits on sale as quickly as possible, and 
beyond that the fruits themselves are quickly spoiled on the plants 
if not gathered closely. These facts afford excuses for the 
hurried careless mode of procedure adopted by some growers, but 
none the less, with a better organised system, properly sorting 
the fruits, and sending them up in punnets ought to pay well for 
the extra labour at least as regards all good fruit, and poor 
samples do not stand a chance in the present day, except for jam 
making. 
One of the most remarkable Strawberry farms in this country 
is that bearing the title of “ The Koyal Strawberry Garden,” 
at Knowle Hill, near Virginia Water, Surrey, which is presided 
over by !Mr. T. Sharpe. Some years ago reference was made to 
this home of the Strawberry, but as there are many additional 
readers since then a brief description may possess an interest at 
this time of year. The Knowle Hill Gardens are situated in one 
of the most delightful districts of Surrey, the land sloping to the 
south, well sheltered to the north and east, a warm and naturally 
early position. The soil is, however, a peculiar one, and the most 
No. 622.—VOL.'iXX.. Third Series, 
experienced cultivator would never think of recommending a fruit 
farmer to attempt growing Strawberries upon a pure sand. This 
is what prevails at Knowle—a dull coloured, soft, fine, close sand, 
which in a hot summer might be expected to be little better 
than a desert, and perhaps that had been its condition until 
^Ir. Sharpe took it in hand seventeen years ago, and converted 
it into one of the most productive Strawberry farms. It was 
accidentally found that Strawberries succeeded unusually well, 
and Mr. Sharpe being a practical and observant horticulturist was 
not slow to take advantage of this fact ; the single row of 
plants was rapidly increased, and the chance crop soon became 
under good management the foundation of a profitable 
business. 
The plants are grown closer together than in the Kent gardens, 
because the soil is never dug between the rows and no manure is 
applied, another extraordinary circumstance in such a soil. The 
rows are about 2 feet apart, and beyond a little grass clippings 
placed between the plants to prevent too rapid evaporation from 
the soil and to keep the fruits clean nothing whatever is employed. 
The plants make but moderate growth and small leaves, not a 
suspicion of grossness, but the fruits are both large and abundant 
in the extreme, such a crop, indeed, we have never seen elsewhere 
under any system of culture. Marguerite is largely grown and 
developes marvellous fruits, large, richly coloured, and of good 
flavour. Fruits weighing an ounce each are common, and one fine 
specimen we measured was 5d inches in circumference over the 
apex of the fruit and 5 inches in circumference at the base. As 
much as lbs. per plant has been obtained from this variety, and 
some of the plants cannot have less than this amount upon them 
now ripe and ripening. British Queen is another favourite at 
Knowle and it succeeds remarkably. Alice Maud, Sir Joseph 
Paxton, and other varieties are grown similarly well, besides 
several promising seedlings, which are distinguished by their earli¬ 
ness and prolific character. 
Small quantities have been gathered for some time, but the 
work commenced in earnest on Monday with 4 cwt. carefully 
sorted into two or three grades, placed in punnets with leaves, and 
packed in layers in boxes holding four dozen punnets. Every 
detail in this way is studied, and the result is the fruit commands 
the best price obtainable. It might be thought that the plants 
would be quickly exhausted, but this is not the case, for six-year-old 
beds look perfectly satisfactory as regards crop, though the finer 
fruits are borne by the younger plants. It would be interesting to 
have an exact analysis of this soil, for it evidently possesses some¬ 
thing essential to the Strawberry. One point in its favour is that 
it is much more preservative of moisture than would be supposed 
at first glance, for when the surface becomes dry to the depth of 
about an inch, this serves as a protective layer, and the soil about 
the roots of the plants is often sufficiently moist, when in heavier 
laud it would be cracked and dried to a hurtful extent. The Royal 
Strawberry Gardens are indeed full of interest and suggestions, and 
to conclude this reference it may be remarked that a custom is 
adopted similar to that in the old Cherry orchards in the West 
of England—namely, visitors are admitted at a charge of 9d. 
each, and allowed to gather and eat as many Strawberries as they 
please, and it is fortunate for Mr. Sharpe that he is not nearer 
London, or he might find this arrangement exceedingly un¬ 
profitable. 
Strawberries will receive special attention on Friday next, 
June 27th, at the Conference of the British Fruit Growers’ Asso¬ 
ciation in the library of the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, when 
several points touched upon in this article will be dealt with at 
greater length. For instance, l\Ir. Shirley Hibberd has under 
taken to discuss the origin of cultivated Strawberries, Mr. J. 
Wright will discourse upon the culture of garden Strawberries, 
Mr. G. Bunyard will give some useful hints re'ative to Straw¬ 
berries for market, and Mr. T. Laxton will explain his methods of 
No. 2178.—VoL. LXXXIL, Old Series. 
