The illustrated strawberry culturist
Year: 1887
Type: book
Abstract: It is now twenty-five years since I wrote the first edition of the STRAWBERRY CULTURIST.At that time but little attention had been paid to the cultivation of this best of all berries, and, with the exception of an occasional basket or crate of the Hovey and Wilson, New York markets were mostly supplied with the little Crimson Cone and Scotch Runner raised in New Jersey.From time to time new varieties had been introduced at home and from abroad, and by copying all the names found in both European and American nurserymen's catalogues, I was enabled to make a list of nearly five hundred varieties, of which only a few survive.Among these may be named the Hovey, Wilson, Triomphe de Gand, Lennig's White, Downer's Prolific and the Monthly Alpines, but, with one or two exceptions, these 'j Fragaria Chiliensis.-A widely distributed species, especially on the west coast of America, where it is found from Alaska on the north, southward to California, and thence to Chili and other countries in South America.It is usually a low-growing, spreading plant with large thick cuneate, obovate leaflets, smooth and shining above ; with silky appressed hairs underneath.Fruit stalks very stout ; flowers white, large, often more than an inch in diameter and with five to seven petals.Formerly these large flowered varieties from South America were supposed to belong to a distinct species-the F. grandiflora, or Great-Flowering Strawberry ; but more recent investigation has shown that all belong to the one species, viz., /.Chiliensis.This species is the parent of the most noted European varieties, some of which have long been cultivated in this country, but the varieties of the Virginian and Chili Strawberry have become so intermingled by crossing that it is now scarcely possible to trace their parentage.Fragaria Indica.-Asmall species from Upper India, with yellow flowers, and small red, rather tasteless fruit.Often cultivated as a curiosity and ornament, as the plants bear continuously through the summer and autumn.Fragaria elatior.-Hautbois or Highwood Strawberry.Indigenous to Europe, principally in Germany.Plants tall growing; fruit usually elevated above the leaves, and the calyx strongly reflexed ; petals small, white ; fruit brownish, pale red, sometimes greenish, with a strong musky, and, to most persons, a disagreeable flavor.Only sparingly cultivated.The plants are inclined to be dicecious, 7. e., the two sexes on different plants, even in their wild state.
Authors: Andrew S. Fuller, Andrew S. Fuller
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4247323764