The Family Kitchen Gardener (1856)/Strawberry
STRAWBERRY.
Fragaria, var.—Fraisier, Fr.—Erdbeerpflanze, Ger.
The Strawberry, so called from the ancient practice,—and still continued—of laying straw between the rows to keep the fruit clean. It is not properly a berry, but considered “a fleshy receptacle, studded with seeds.” It is a wholesome and most luscious fruit, and wisely distributed by a bountiful hand over nearly every part of the world. Its cultivation has been little regarded till within the past thirty years; and even at the present period is very imperfectly understood. Its healthful influence upon nearly all constitutions, when taken in mod-crate quantities, is admitted by medical men. The demand for it in a commercial point of view is rapidly on the increase, which has created a desire to know its character and improve its culture. Its uses are generally known. A certain species of beauty is compared to “Strawberries smothered in cream,” a portion of the dessert palatable to all, though the beneficial effects of the fruit is most certain when fresh from the vine, unmixed and unadulterated. The immense number of varieties now cultivated renders it rather difficult to select from them a few sorts that will continue the season to the longest possible period. In attempting to do so, however, we give preference to varieties obtained from seed in this country, which resist the vicissitudes of our climate, and give more general satisfaction than any imported variety. Our selection comprises two seedlings of Pennsylvania origin, one of New York, and one of Massachusetts.
Early May—is a pistillate (female?) variety. Fruit above medium size; color bright red; shape conical; flavor very rich, with a delightful aroma. Ripened last year on the 14th of May (season two weeks later than usual). This variety requires to have a row of the Hudson strawberry planted with it to produce the very great crops of which it is capable. It will be a general market fruit.
Hovey’s Seedling.—This pistillate (female?) variety is now universally cultivated in every part of the United States, and greatly admired. Fruit very large, heart-shaped; color dark red, when fully ripe; flavor good, with a fine aroma. Ripened last year about the 22d of May. This variety requires a few of the Hudson, or some other staminate sort to be planted near it, when it produces extraordinary crops. Is a general market fruit.
Prize Seedling.—One of the finest flavored strawberries in cultivation. A staminate variety, and produces a crop of fruit, when planted alone, of very large size, of a rounded, heart-shaped form. Color dark crimson, when fully ripe, with a polished surface; seeds prominent. Ripened last year on the 20th of May, and continues fully three weeks in bearing; an unusual length of time with us.
Ross’ Phanix.—A staminate plant, producing a crop when planted by itself. Fruit very large, and frequently of a coxcomb-shape; of a dark red color, with a smooth, polished surface. Flesh firm, and of a very rich flavor, with a delightful aroma. Ripened last year about the 26th of May.
Monthly Copii.—This variety of the Alpine Strawberry is an improvement on the old sort. The fruit is larger, of a finer flavor, and produces copiously the whole year, and is veritably a monthly Strawberry.
There are several varieties recently produced from seeds in this vicinity, and other parts of the country, which will entirely supplant every foreign sort; and we doubt not may even displace some of those we have named, though they are not yet fully proven.
Propagation of Strawberries from Seed.—Every person who has any partiality for this fruit, that can devote a few hours to their culture in their season, should sow the seeds of the very best kinds any time from August to April, in pots of light earth; water them regularly, and they will be above ground in four or five weeks. After they have attained a few leaves to each, plant them into a piece of rich ground in the garden, about twenty inches apart. The second season they will produce fruit to prove their merits. The seed is obtained by drying the ripe fruit and washing the flesh from the seeds, which are all on the outside of the berry; these seeds, when perfectly dry, will keep three years. Flowers that have an entirely green centre are called female, or pistilate—those that have a great many yellow stamens are called male, or barren plants—those that have only a portion of stamens around the base of the green, conical centre of the flower, are called staminate or perfect blossoms.
Soil.—All admit that the best soil for this fruit is a deep, light, rich loam, if not naturally deep to be made so by trenching. Rich it must be, if large and good fruit is required:
therefore, prepare the ground the season before, planting and incorporating it with an abundance of manure, to the depth of eighteen inches. The exposure must be entirely free from the shade of trees or buildings. For early crops, plant on an aspect that has an inclination to the south or south-east. For late crops choose the north or west. By this method the Strawberry season is greatly prolonged.
Planting.—The periods for performing this is in March and April, or August and September: in either of these months we have been equally successful. Beds four feet wide. each containing three rows, and the plants fifteen inches apart in the row, leaving alleys two and a half feet wide between the beds, for the operations of gathering, weeding, hoeing, &c. Never take any other crop from among them, except a few Radishes or Lettuce, the first season. Destroy the runners after the middle of July, unless they are wanted for plants; hoe them freely, and keep the ground in an open condition. Some light, rough litter should be sprinkled over the plants during Winter, in cold localities. In light soils dig in be- tween the rows every Autumn, a few inches of well-rotted dung; but in strong and deep alluvial soils it may be dispensed with. In dry seasons give the plants a few waterings, after they have done blooming, with any liquid manure, or other rich water, which will greatly promote the swelling of the fruit. A plantation will last three or four years; and to have this fruit in perfection plant out a portion every year. For this purpose we advise to plant those sorts that are called pistilate or female plants, allowing every sixth row to be of a variety that is called staminate or male plants. This latter sort keep within bounds, to prevent the runners intermingling with the bearing kinds. It is a prudent precaution to lay straw or other clean material between the rows of the fruiting plants, before they come into bloom, to prevent the fruit being injured by heavy rains, sand, or dust.
Gathering the Fruit.—The common practice of picking the fruit with the footstalks attached, is one of the very worst sys. tems, causing them to be handled and re-picked before they go to the table. Early in the morning take a vessel, basket, or box, of convenient size, and pick the fruit before it is softened by the sun. Lay hold of the calyx or cup at the base of the fruit, with the nail of the first finger and thumb of the left hand, and with the first finger of the right, give the fruit a gentle but quick draw, and it will come off into the hand without the least bruise or damage of any kind—and thus proceed till your vessel is full. Strawberries should go to the table without being turned or handled in any way, when the full, rich aroma of the fruit will be preserved. Those that are carried to market to be retailed for family use, should all be in portable boxes, in the same way as Raspberries. The present mode is disgusting in the extreme; large tubfuls, bruised and crushed, spooned into quart measures from vessels of very questionable character, in both color and appearance. The denizens carrying home their quantum of mashed matter, under the name of Strawberry, from such a mixture, can know little of the delicious aroma and rich flavor of the pure fruit called Strawberry.