Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/170

148]  with the article to be manufactured); from which, lines are to be drawn perpendicularly, diagonally, or in any other direction. At the top of each line must be fixed a nail or pin, to which a double wire should be fastened: the straw is then plaited between such wires, and the ends are joined by introducing the sharp end of one tube into another, till the crown be completed.

For making the brim of the bonnet or hat, a sheet of thick paste-board must be formed into the requisite shape; lines or curves, similar to those above described, are next to be drawn, and the wires fastened through small holes made at the top. Tiie straw is worked in the same manner as that for the crown; to which the brim may be attached, either by continuing the work so as to form one piece, or by sowing both together, and concealing the juncture by a wreath of straw, or any other mode, which fancy may suggest.—See also, vol. iii. p. 337.  STRAWBERRY, or Fragaria, a genus of plants, comprehending three species, two of which are indigenous; but the principal is the vesca, or Common Strawberry, growing in woods, hedges, and hollow ways; where its flowers appear in the month of May or June; and are succeeded by small red fruit. The plant is eaten by sheep and goats, but is not relished by cows; and is totally refused by horses and swine.

The common Strawberry is the parent-stock from which all the different varieties have been obtained by culture: the most remarkable of these, are:

1. The Wood-Strawberry, with oblong serrated leaves, and small white, round fruit.—2. The Green, or Pine-apple Strawberry, which has received this name from its delicate tlavour, resembling that of the .—3. The Scarlet, or Virginian Strawberry, which has also oval, serrated leaves, and bears a roundish berry, of a deep scarlet colour.—4. The Hautboy, or Musk Strawberry, is a native of America, but has long been raised in British gardens: it is remarkable for its rough spear-shaped leaves, and its large pale-red fruit.—5. The Chili Strawberry has oval, thick hairy leaves, large flowers, and firm berries.—6. The Alpine Strawberry, has small oval leaves, diminutive flowers, and oblong, pointed fruit, of a moderate size.—7. The Monthly, or Ever-flowering Strawberry, originally a French variety, produces very delicate fruit, generally pointed towards the top, and bulky below; being in season from May to November: the plant itself, however, is very small, has diminutive leaves, and furnishes but few off-sets for transplantation.

All the varieties of this vegetable are hardy, perennial plants, which flower in May and June, producing perfect fruit in June, July, August, and even till November. They may be propagated by planting off-sets, or suckers, in any light, rich garden-soil, where they annually yield abundant crops, if properly weeded, and supplied with moisture. Their fertility, however, will be considerably increased, by transplanting them every second year into fresh beds, that have previously been dug, or otherwise prepared for their reception.

As the Strawberry is one of the most exhausting plants, and requires ample nourishment, all weeds growing in its vicinity should be carefully