Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-15
WHEN THE; STRAWBERRY RIPENs
One UnaIIoyed and Unimpaired Mouth
full of Sweetness.

berry considers that its virtues are
legion, and it has not Il single defect.
In years past the first appearance OF
the strawberry in northern markets
wasa surer harbinger of sunuher than
the first swallow; but now the southern
berry comes so early and decidedly
out of season for colder ATTITUDES, the
sign has no Significance.
The much loved strawberry was
originally plant of temperate or cold
er climate, growing wild, sweet and
luscious in the freedom of open air and
sunshine. The chief characteristic of
the wild berry is it's sweetness, which
exceeds that of the garden berry. Gull
tiVation has greatly increased the size
of tho fruit, and also, according to the
approval of most tastes, improved the
flavor.
Ah4wfo fully appreciate and respect
the charms of this immortaliZed fruit
agree that this giver of health and
creator of pleasure should seldom be
submitted to the pervertinS and desc
Grating fire, but eaten when fully ripe,
firm, cool and while still holding the
spark of imprisoned sunshine which
gives the outdoor berry that cffcrvcs-
cent flavor and scent which is said to
have been one of the chief factors in
molding the barbarian of Europe into
his present higher civilized form. They
certainly are to be preferred fresh from
their deWy garden beds cooled to just
the proper degree of rcfreShment by the
chill night air. But their pristine de-
lights are spent before the tOWn-dWell-
cr can enjoy them; but still much of
their Individuality and the fine VOla-
tile flavor is preserved when the Der
lies are carefully picked, protected III
transportation and served entire and
UnCappcd Nth little bowls of powdered
sugar, BESIDE each plate. When they
can be. served fresh ana cool from the
vine, they are most delicious StemmeG
and served with powdered sugar and
thick, rich cream.
The strawberry does not differ so
very greatly from other fruits in coma
poncnt parts. They contain more acid
than most apples, a little less sugar;
are richer than the average fruits in
potash and lime salts and when eaten
IN moderation are very cooling ana
wholesome in effect in the average.
There is Il good deal of cellulosc and
so-CStlled waste material in the straw
berry, the ordinary proportion OF WA
ter being about eighty-nine per cent.
Although the ;tc:;thItic qua - rather
than the strictly nutrtive prcdominatc
i'm the fruit, and we enjoy them for
their sweetness and flavor with little
regard for more useful qualities, it is Il
fact that the tissue forming element OF
this berry is higher in proportion thar
in most other fruits.~~
In rare cases Strawberries do UNI
ooubtedly disagree with individuals.
Tho trouble may arise from the use of
berries which arc stale. They are very
pcrishable, keeping but a short time
uncookcd and should never be cooked
in order to save" them, when the least
sign of detection is shown. Skin crup-
ions and hives are sometimes charged
to the eating OF strawberries, and nos
$ibly with good reason if there is some
popularity which may be aggravated
by this acid fruit. But even with m
furious result, they prove their useful
ness, as they not only make known the,
presence Iof some insidiouS disease but
proclaim the undoubtcd nature of 1t.
For example, an excess of uric acid ~.
the system will quickly develop hives
or skin eruptions or equity or rhCumat1G
symptoms if the individual so condi-
toned ,induGos frequently i'll straw
berries. But the strawberry is not the
only Offender or always an offender III
these noted conditions, but possible in
jury may result in this way from eat
ing them; but the wcll-ripencd fresh
berry cannot of itself create mischief.
Tho exceedingly small seeds of tn"
berry are useful. as they stimulate
without irritating the iutcstincs and IN
this way arc cful as q laxative when
used with judgment. Coming carly in
the season, they arc one of tho best rs
most delightful of tonics for toning up
and clearing out the system prepara-
tory for the hot weather.