The National tribune., 1882-08-05

RAISING STRAWBERRIES FROM SEED
One of the great drawbacks in raising vari-
Gus fruits from seed for the purpose of intro
ducing new varieties is the time required
before they begin to bear. This, however,
does not apply to the strawberry, fer we have
gathered bushels of fruit from plants eleven
months after sowing the seed from which
they were raised. These were produced il
the following manner: When the fruit is
thoroughly ripened the berries are bruised
and the seeds washed out from the pulp as
carefully as is practicable. This operation
may be greatly facilitated by pairing thinly
the outer surface of the berry, which, of
course, includes the seeds; by this means the
largest portion Of the pulp Of the berry is
rejected, and but very little of the pulpy
matter is retained if carefully managed. It
is now washed and separated in water, which
viii allow the greater portion of the pulp to
be loated or SKINNED Of. The seed is then
spread thinly on paper and dried in the
shade. When dry, the seeds and adhering
pulp are rubbed between the finger and
thumb, which will separate them ready for
sowing Shallow boxes which will hold
about three inches in depth of soil are the
most suitable. These are filed with any
kind of light, sandy soil, which is carefully
and firmly pressed during filling, and the
surface made smooth and level. The seeds
are then properly distributed over the sur
c,oa o,,5 oov-ara5 ,u;4T, q l;,,I4 c,,rirI-lir, of
sand-merely enough to barely cover the
seed-and the whole surface pressed evenly
and solidly with a wooden block or COM
mon brick. Above all things deep covering
of the seed is to be avoided. The boxes are
now placed in shaded position, such as may
be found on the north side of a wall, board
fence, or hedge, and covered with boards un-
til the seeds vegetate. The surface of the
soil should be kept moist, and, unless the
weather is very dry, but few applications of
water viii be required before the young
plants appear, which viii be in the course of
three or four weeks, or less with some of the
seeds. The covering greatly prevents dry
ing and obviates the necessity of frequent
waterings, which have a tendency to disturb
the seeds.
As soon rs the young plants appear they
require to be fully exposed at night, al
though partial shading from bright sun will
assist their growth. Any covering during
night is injurious, as closeness at that period
viii inevitably cause the young plants to
decay OF dampen of at the neck Of the ten
der stem. 1t is well to protect them from
dashing rains at night when it can be
done, but when fully exposed even heavy
rains viii not cause damping of, although
the plants may be somewhat bruised and
beaten down.
As soon as true leaves are formed the
young plants should be carefully lifted,
separated, and replanted, either in boxes
prepared as for the seed, or in a sheltered
place in the open ground, where the soil can
be specially prepared for them by being
properly pulverized, smOothed, and irmed as
recommended for the seed boxes
The plants are now set in rows two inches
apart-the distances between the plants
should not be less than this; the soil can be
settled round the roots by good watering
they VIII be benefited from shading from
bright sun for few days until they start
again to grow; at no time should they be al
lowed to suffer for water and no covering
given either day or night. About the be-
ginning Of September, (premising that the
seeds were sown as soon as they were ripe
which would not be later than the end OF
june the plants VIII be large enough for
permanent planting. The soil being ngood
condition, fully manured and pulverized, the
plants are now 10 be lifted with a small bali
of soil attached to the roots. Running a
sharp knife between the rows will help to
separate them and secure earth to each plant.
Set them in rows three feet apart, and allow
eighteen inches from plant TO plant They
VIII make good sized plants before winter,
and form numerous flower buds for fTuiting
the following summer Protect them during
winter. IN climates where the thermometer
goes down to zero, by slightly covering them
with straw or unrotted manure, for even
the hardest plants VIII produce better when
protected during winter. Managed in this
way fruit is produced in less than twelve
months from the time Of sowing the seeds
and if the various details Of tTansplanting,
&c, have proved favorable to constant and
uninterrupted growth, the crop produced
win be quite large.
The equality Of the fruit should not be de-
termined by the frst crop; but the second
years growth and fruitage will exhibit the
normal qualities Of the plant, and until this
is ascertained all runners should be removed.
VAGARIEs or 4 RosEBUsH.-A CORE
epondent writes as follows: "Sometime
ago I purchased a tea cose; at the time of
purchase the bud on it was very double.
During the spring and summer it bloomed
twice. and both times double. The last two
crops Of bloom have been very single. Can
vou tell me the reason Of this change, and
how it can be remedied?"
Many years ago we owned COW which
fell sick; we called in q neighbOr who pro-
fessed skill in COWS, and after careful inves-
tigation he remarked that "If that cow
had horns ] should say that she had the
hoTn-ail" AS the animal had tail We sug-
gested that she might have wolf-in-the-tail.
Now, if the aforementioned rose had been
3 Temontant, or what is called hybrid