ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE STRAWBERRY. 
47 
rather by absorbing the matter formed by the leaves, and con¬ 
verting it to its own appointed use, it checks the growth of the 
plant that bears it, and ultimately hastens its decay. 
Buckingham Palace Gardens, December 27. 1843. 
Prize Essay, 
ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE STRAWBERRY. 
By Mr. V/. Turner. 
The strawberry belongs to the Natural Order Rosacea, and to 
the Class Icosandria and Order Polygynia of Linnaeus; its generic 
name, Fragaria , is derived from fragrans , odorous, on account 
of its fragrant smell. There are three indigenous species, viz. 
Fragaria elatior, F. vesca , and F. calycina ; they are to be 
found mostly in woods and shady places, except elatior , which 
is not so common as the others. 
I will now remark on some of those that were brought early 
into this country: the Virginian, or Old Scarlet, was introduced 
from Virginia, in or about the year 1800; it is still considered 
a good fruit, and is cultivated in most gardens. It ripens early 
in the season, and possesses a fine flavour. The Alpine straw¬ 
berry much resembles the Scarlet, but its fruit is more pointed; 
it is of a good flavour, and continues to bear till late in the 
season. It is a native of America. The Hautboy is also a 
native of America; it has long been in cultivation in this 
country, and is easily distinguished from all other strawberries 
by its foliage and fruit, which are quite distinct; the fruit is of 
a very peculiar flavour. The Chili strawberry was brought to 
Europe by M. Frazier, and planted in the Royal Garden, at 
Paris; from thence it Was distributed to several persons in Hol¬ 
land, and about the year 1727 it was brought from Holland to 
this country, and grown in the garden of Mr. G. Clifford, of 
Hartecamp. This sort is known by its thick, oval, and hairy 
leaves. Its fruit is large, and of a white colour, and but little 
in esteem ; in fact, in a few years, it will only be known by 
name, for we rarely find it in cultivation. 
Having enumerated a few of the original kinds of straw- 
f 4 
