Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/172

150] with those of superior fruit, many new and excellent varieties will result from such combination.

has made the following curious experiments, on the propagation of strawberries from their seeds: He directed the water in which this fruit had been washed, before it was used at table, to be thrown in a shaded corner of his garden, where the soil had been manured with rotten branches and leaves: in this manner, he obtained very beautiful plants for an extensive piece of ground. On covering the beds, over which such seed had been scattered, with connected pieces of the moss growing on trees, and removing the latter, when the plants had acquired 2 or 3 leaves, he obtained excellent crops. In March, 1764, strawberry-seeds were scattered on patches of moss (Gateaux de mousse), in pots placed under the windows of a hot-bed: these afforded the most vigorous plants. For such purpose, he principally employed the Hypnum triquetrum, or Triangular Feather-moss, which grows on damp meadows, fields, and hedges: it should, however, be remarked, that, in all his experiments, found it necessary to moisten the earth, or moss, several times every day, till the plants appeared above ground.

Lastly, M. has likewise (Bibliotheque Physico-Economique, for 1798) strongly supported this method of propagating strawberries from the seed; and he observes, that they should be covered with straw, or light branches of trees, and regularly watered two or three times in 24 hours, to ensure a plentiful crop: the covering ought to be removed only after the plants have acquired the fourth leaf; and the irrigation should be continued till the latter end of June. He concludes with remarking, that strawberries thus raised, are extremely productive; and, if planted on beds five feet wide, are greatly superior to those produced from off-sets, or suckers.

In situations, however, where early strawberries are an object of attention, Dr. directs them to be planted in pots, which may be arranged in flat pans made of milled iron; and these again placed on a wooden frame, sufficiently strong to support their weight. From each corner of such frame, a rope is to be passed upwards, over a pulley fixed to the rafters of a, constructed according to his plan, whence the rope may be drawn horizontally to other pullies fixed in a similar manner, and be carried from these over a cylinder turning upon an axis; so that the whole of the frame, together with the pots and pans, may be elevated, or lowered, at pleasure. Thus, the pots may be raised, till they are brought closely under the glass of the ceiling; which, being the warmest part of the building, will cause the plants to vegetate with the greatest luxuriance. He farther observes, that the pots may be supplied with water, by pouring it into the pans, without lowering them; and, as the berries gradually ripen, they may be gathered, and the frames again suspended.

Strawberries are a wholesome, delicious fruit; and may be eaten alone, with sugar, or with milk, but most agreeably with wine: they have a pleasant sub-acid taste; abound with juice; and possess a fragrant smell. Being of a ing