Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-04-13


Strawberries-Their Cultivation, &c.
The cultivation Of straw berries 10 gardens
for family use, and in the field for market
purposes, is now attracting good deal OF
attention all over the country, not at tie
North Alone. but wherever the climate is
well adapted to the growth of this delicious
fruit.
The coil adapted for growing strawberries
may be found in every garden, and on every
larm 10 the whole country; nor is it necessa-
ry that it should be very rich, nor dug up to
greater depth than for growing ordinary
vegetables. If the garden be plowed or
spa5ed in the usual manner, ell that is TO bs
done, is to pulverise the surface Jumps by
rakng the ground evenly, then mark of the
| rows from two to three feet apart, according
to the area of the ground that can be afforded
for such crop. The plants should be set
about foot apart in the rows, and they will,
during the first season, Gil up the rows close
ly with runners, that catch root between the
rows.
ln the spring Of the second year, the plants
should shoot up in close, compact rows, and
| about foot in width. and leaving an open
space between them Of about two feet az
path to walk in 20 pick the fruit.
Some people plant strawberries in hills
but do not consider ttat plaD as profitable
as the row method, inner and larger berries
it is true, may sometimes be produced 10 hills;
but the fruit is more liGble to be soiled by
heavy rains in bills than in rows, and the hill
system gives less fruit to given area thsl
rows.
The month OF April is the proper time TO
set the piauts 10 the spring; but nut much
fruit should be expected the Esst year The
second season full and perfect crop msy bs
expected.
The question, How long will strawberry
bed continue TO bear prottably3 z" is still
Undecided. In some cases, they have borne
fruit for ten or fifteen years, without any
perceptible dipiuution but the better way
Is to remove them every third or fourth year.
AS 1t cost 10 more to grow very prolific
berry tben it does one that is "slow" bearer,
the public are desirors Of procuring the best
varieties known. ! will name few that are
now popular Wilson's Seeding, the most
prolific: HoTeys Seeding, an excellent
variety; Trumphe dc Gand, splendid Pea.
bodys Seeding, sometimes magnificent
Fillmore, well puffsd Burr's New Pine
good quality; Lougworth's Prolific, second
rate; MeAvoy's superior. large but not pro.
! life.
could name many more, but as one or
two varieties are all that most families
! require, do not consider il necessary to
increase the list. Wilson's Seeding alone
is, probably, more profitable TO cultivate,
either for family or market purposes, than to
grow several kinds.
la some cases it is absolutely necessary TO
grow two or more kinds near each other, in
order to produce proper fruitfcstion. as
some varieties are piStildteS, or female plants,
while while others are stdminates, or male
plants. lndependen. of these, there is q
class called. .hermdphodituS, or sslffuitfers,
and Wilson's Seeding is of this class.
The female plants may bs known by the
| flowers contsiung DO stameGs but are simply
covered with pistels. The flowers of thu
male plants contain stamens only. while the
hermaphodite flowers contain both stameus
and pistels.
A purely female plant will have but very
few berries, il no male plant be growing 10
the immediate vicnity-from six feet 10 u
rod of. 1t is proper knowledge Of The
nature Of the sexes in strawberry plants, thst
enables the experienced gardener to succeed
in producing good crops every season.
In placing Wilson's Seeding at the head
of the list, ! do SO simply as 9 productive
plant but not as 10 size or flavor. IL is au
acid berry, aud should be left to become fully
ripe before being pcssd.
We are far from having reached the name
Of perfection in strawberry culture yet and
il is very probable, that new varieties will bs
produced that will be far superior to any
kinds known at the present day. ] have
produced, during the last three years, over
one huudred rev varieties. many of which
promise To be very superior and prolific kuds.
propose TO give them a test this season,
when shall discard ell Of doubtful charsc.
ter. Que variety produces berries in com.
pact clusters, like punches Of grapes, with a
stem as large as pipe stem. and slmos. as
stIh'--G1manto~n Telegraph.