169. ,The Carolina (F. Caroliniana) is very regular in form, and of a fine red colour ; but inferior in flavour to the scarlet. It does not appear to be a distinct species.
170. The Wood strawberry (F. vesca, Lin.) has been cultivated from time immemorial, and in some places it is still preferred. It is a native of most of the woods of Bri tain, and figured by Sowerby, t. 1524. There is a variety with white fruit.
171. The Pine strawberry (F. grandylora, Hort. Kew. ; F. ananas of some writers.) The leaves resemble those of the scarlet, but are somewhat larger, and evidently of a thicker substance ; the flowers also are larger, and the fruit approaches in size and shape to the Chili, being large, tapering, very pale red on the exposed side, and greenish on the shaded side. When the plants arc kept free from runners, this kind is very productive of fruit, and is there fore highly deserving of cultivation.
172. The Chili (F. Chiloensis, Hort. Kew.) is distinguish ed by its very thick oval leaves, which, with the leaf-stalks, are set with hairs. The flowers and fruit arc both uncom monly large. Some English gardeners speak slightingly of this kind, saying that it is a bad bearer : it has therefore been rather neglected. In the neighbourhood of Edin burgh, however, it proves abundantly productive : 50 Scots pints have frequently been gathered from an acre, by a single person, in the course of a day. It is the only large strawberry cultivated for the Edinburgh market, and is generally sold there under the name of hautboy. The Chili, it may he noticed, has a red berry ; while the true hautboy is of a greyish colour.
173. The Hautboy, or Hautbois (F. clatior, Smith, Brit. ; Eng. Rot t. 2197.) is remarkable for its very large obstaig fruit, with a musky flavour. There is a variety called the Globe Hautboy, which is much esteemed, but apt to degenerate.
174 01 late years many new varieties have been raised from seed : Some have for a time acquired a name, and have again been forgotten : others, however, are likely to retain their character. When ripe st.ed is wished for, the fruit should be allowed to wither somewhat on the plant be fore being gathered. It may, in passing, be observed, that although, in compliance with popular practice, we term the fruit a berry, it is not such in correct botanical lan guage : a berry (bacca) contains the seeds within a pulp ; but here we find the seeds on the outside ; it is, in fact, a fleshy receptacle, having the surface studded with the seeds.
In Covent Garden market, strawberries are sold in small potties, the fruit having the calyx-ltaf attached. In the Edinburgh market, they are sold in wicker-baskets, each basket containing a Scots pint, or four English pints, the fruit being freed from the calyx-leaves.
175. As it is generally admitted that the market-garden ers in the vicinity of Edinburgh excel in the culture of strawberries, their mode shall here be detailed.
A clayey soil or strong loam is considered as best suited to the strawberry ; on a sandy or very light soil it never succeeds. Indeed, as the fruit naturally ripens in June, when drought may be expected, we might conclude, a pri ori, that a retentive soil would be much more proper for it than an open one. New plantations arc formed either in September or in the beginning of April, the soil being trenched or at least deeply delved, and at the same time manured. The offsets are always taken from the runners of plants of the preceding year, in preference to those from plants of longer standing. They are placed in rows two feet distant, thus affording sufficient room for delving, or turning over the surface earth between them, a practice which is found very beneficial, both during summer and winter. Three plants are commonly put in together at each place : the distance between each stool or cluster of plants is at least fifteen inches ; sometimes a foot and a half. When the weather is dry at the time of planting, they are watered every day till they be well established. For'the first year few berries are produced ; and the com mon practice is, to sow a line of carrots, or some such crop, between the strawberry rows. In May the runners arc cut off, this being found to promote the swelling of the fruit. Every stool is rendered quite distinct and free from another, and the earth between them is stirred with the spade or hoe. In the dry weather of summer, strawberries are (by some careful cultivators, for it is not a general prac tice) watered, not only while in flower, and when the fruit is setting, but even when it is swelling off: as the berries begin to colour, however, watering is desisted from, lest the flavour should be injured.