_The Strawberry_.--Many varieties have been imported from other
countries, and a far greater number have been obtained in this, chiefly
from seeds properly prepared by cross impregnation; by which means, the
strawberry has been wonderfully improved; instance the hautboys,
scarlet, chilli, but particularly the splendid varieties, called
"Wilmot's superb," and "Keen's seedlings."
_The Raspberry_, is also found wild in the British isles, on its
native site, (with its companions, the bramble, and dewberry)--its
shoots and fruits are diminutive, though the flavour of the berry is
rich. No plant requires the skilful hand of the pruner more than this;
of all others, it is, perhaps, the most viviparous, throwing up,
annually, a vast redundancy of shoots, which, if not displaced at the
proper season, would impoverish not only the fruit of the present, but
also the bearing wood of the next year. The Dutch fruiterers have been
successful in obtaining two or three fine varieties from seeds; and as
this field of improvement is open, no doubt further exertions will bring
forth new and valuable sorts.
_The Gooseberry._--No domesticated fruit sports into greater
variety than this: the endless lists of new sorts is a proof of this,
and many large and excellent sorts there are, particularly the old
Warrington red.
_The Cherry_.--Cultivation has accomplished wonders in the
improvement of this beautiful native fruit. Instead of a lofty
forest-tree bearing small bitter fruit, it has been long introduced to
our orchards, is changed in appearance and habit, and even in its manner
of bearing; has sported into many varieties, as numerous as they are
excellent--nor is such improvement at an end: several new varieties have
lately started into existence.
_The Plum_.--The lowest grade of this class of fruits is the almost
useless sloe in the hedge; and none but those in some degree acquainted
with the matter could, on beholding the acidous, puny sloe, and the
ample, luscious magnum bonum plum, together, readily believe that they
were kindred, or that the former was the primitive representative of the
latter. The intermediate links of this connexion are the bullace,
muscle, damacene, &c., of all which there are many varieties. In
nurserymen's lists, there are many improved sorts, not only excellent
plums, but excellent fruit,--the green gage and imperatrice are
admirable.
_The Pear_, was originally an inhabitant of European forests: there
it grew to be a middle-sized tree, with small leaves, and hard,
crude-tasted, petty fruit: since its introduction and naturalization in
the orchard, it has well repaid the planter's care. The French gardeners
have been long celebrated for their success and indefatigable
perseverance in the cultivation of the pear; almost all our superior
sorts are from that country. The monastic institutions all over Europe,
but particularly in France, were the sources from whence flowed many
excellent horticultural rules, as well as objects.
(_To be concluded in our next_.)
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