==Well this was prescient. As of 2014, nearly 160 years later, almost all the strawberries in the world come from where? You guessed it, California
Strawberries.— Fragaria.
This most luscious fruit, which is now being presented to our citizens in its most tempting forms daily at our markets and saloons, is worthy of more than a mere passing thought. Tts wondrous size, its rich fragrance, and its other excellent qualities, attract the notice of the passers by; the mouth waters, some are tempted to buy and eat, others bear away the fairest and best, as a prize; the fruit is consumed, and the circumstance, however pleasant, is soon forgotten.
But this fruit —its advent into California, its new and remarkable features, its increased productiveness in size and quantity, the habit it assumes as a perpetual bearer—these are subjects that should arrest the attention of every fruit grower in California. It is perfectly astonishing to notice among the masses of cultivators at the present day, how little they are acquainted with the character and capabilities of this fruit — a fruit that is so much needed and would find so ready a sale in every town, village, or city, at handsome prices.
In California the strawberry assumes, as we have said, remarkable features. The climate is highly favorable to its growth, the rains and mild weather of winter furnish the roots with a continuous growth of the plant, and the early warm weather sets an abundant crop, When a due attention is given to the care of the plants, the strawberry, in many varieties, yields a continuous crop from the middle of April to November.
Plants set out in January and February, give fruit in May, and continue to bear. In addition to this, plants can be taken from the parent, reset, and they will yield fruit in the autumn. Climate, soil, and season —all seem peculiarly fitted for great crops of this fruit, and it will be found that this delicious fruit will still be improved both in size and quality when raised from the seed. Again would we urge upon all fruit growers, the necessity of turning their attention to raising new and improved fruits from seed.
We urge this measure as applicable to fruits of every kind. By this means we produce fruit adapted by nature to the soil and climate, in addition to the fact that then proper attention is paid to this matter, the character of the fruit is improved. Among the fruits thus raised, strawberries will be found to remarkably improve. We can give full assurance to any one, of this fact, by referring them to the gardens of Messrs. Smith, at Sacramento, upon the banks of the American. Smiths' gardens are a pattern for fruit growers, and worthy their attention.
After the close of the State Convention recently held at that city, we visited these grounds and enjoyed the courtesy of the proprietors. We were deeply interested in the examination of these grounds. In every department of fruit Messrs. Smith are rapidly advancing; their specimen orchard presents at this time the best proof of the success of Pomology ; we have even seen fruit trees from the seed but one or two years, showing fruit —trees two and three years old bending with the weight of their early crops —nursery trees the growth of which even the present year surpass almost belief. But the fruit to which we now would call particular attention is that which we have placed at the head of this communication.
Messrs. Smith cultivate a large quantity of Strawberries, of all the principal kinds, and tho present year's crop will be very large. They have also a large plantation of seedling strawberries, one and two years old, in full bearing— these vines are the most remarkable we have ever seen; the form, the size, and the enormous quantity of fruit now on the vines, will sustain us in the assertion that the like has never BEEN SEEN.
Among the many varieties raised by Mr. Smith, we noticed one of peculiar form and habit —the fruit long, very long, often two and a half inches; conically, sometimes double cones, and
hanging in immense masses, literally covering the ground—such abundant bearers we think have never been produced before; the vine is strong set, leaf dark green, foliage close to the ground We gathered several clusters, and those who desire to see them can have an opportunity by calling at our rooms.
This particular fruit deserves a place in every collection, and we have given to it the name of The proprietors, as the best complement that can be paid—a deserved reward to an efficient friend to Horticulture.
This strawberry will be known as Smiths' California Strawberry, and we hope it may be offered for sale the coming autumn. Every fruit grower, particularly, should visit Smiths' Gardens when the city of Sacramento. As to the quality of this new fruit, we can say it was most excellent, for we enjoyed it much, in a generous supply smothered in the usual condiments of sugar and cream.
Strawberries.— Fragaria.
This most luscious fruit, which is now being presented to our citizens in its most tempting forms daily at our markets and saloons, is worthy of more than a mere passing thought. Tts wondrous size, its rich fragrance, and its other excellent qualities, attract the notice of the passers by; the mouth waters, some are tempted to buy and eat, others bear away the fairest and best, as a prize; the fruit is consumed, and the circumstance, however pleasant, is soon forgotten.
But this fruit —its advent into California, its new and remarkable features, its increased productiveness in size and quantity, the habit it assumes as a perpetual bearer—these are subjects that should arrest the attention of every fruit grower in California. It is perfectly astonishing to notice among the masses of cultivators at the present day, how little they are acquainted with the character and capabilities of this fruit — a fruit that is so much needed and would find so ready a sale in every town, village, or city, at handsome prices.
In California the strawberry assumes, as we have said, remarkable features. The climate is highly favorable to its growth, the rains and mild weather of winter furnish the roots with a continuous growth of the plant, and the early warm weather sets an abundant crop, When a due attention is given to the care of the plants, the strawberry, in many varieties, yields a continuous crop from the middle of April to November.
Plants set out in January and February, give fruit in May, and continue to bear. In addition to this, plants can be taken from the parent, reset, and they will yield fruit in the autumn. Climate, soil, and season —all seem peculiarly fitted for great crops of this fruit, and it will be found that this delicious fruit will still be improved both in size and quality when raised from the seed. Again would we urge upon all fruit growers, the necessity of turning their attention to raising new and improved fruits from seed.
We urge this measure as applicable to fruits of every kind. By this means we produce fruit adapted by nature to the soil and climate, in addition to the fact that then proper attention is paid to this matter, the character of the fruit is improved. Among the fruits thus raised, strawberries will be found to remarkably improve. We can give full assurance to any one, of this fact, by referring them to the gardens of Messrs. Smith, at Sacramento, upon the banks of the American. Smiths' gardens are a pattern for fruit growers, and worthy their attention.
After the close of the State Convention recently held at that city, we visited these grounds and enjoyed the courtesy of the proprietors. We were deeply interested in the examination of these grounds. In every department of fruit Messrs. Smith are rapidly advancing; their specimen orchard presents at this time the best proof of the success of Pomology ; we have even seen fruit trees from the seed but one or two years, showing fruit —trees two and three years old bending with the weight of their early crops —nursery trees the growth of which even the present year surpass almost belief. But the fruit to which we now would call particular attention is that which we have placed at the head of this communication.
Messrs. Smith cultivate a large quantity of Strawberries, of all the principal kinds, and tho present year's crop will be very large. They have also a large plantation of seedling strawberries, one and two years old, in full bearing— these vines are the most remarkable we have ever seen; the form, the size, and the enormous quantity of fruit now on the vines, will sustain us in the assertion that the like has never BEEN SEEN.
Among the many varieties raised by Mr. Smith, we noticed one of peculiar form and habit —the fruit long, very long, often two and a half inches; conically, sometimes double cones, and
hanging in immense masses, literally covering the ground—such abundant bearers we think have never been produced before; the vine is strong set, leaf dark green, foliage close to the ground We gathered several clusters, and those who desire to see them can have an opportunity by calling at our rooms.
This particular fruit deserves a place in every collection, and we have given to it the name of The proprietors, as the best complement that can be paid—a deserved reward to an efficient friend to Horticulture.
This strawberry will be known as Smiths' California Strawberry, and we hope it may be offered for sale the coming autumn. Every fruit grower, particularly, should visit Smiths' Gardens when the city of Sacramento. As to the quality of this new fruit, we can say it was most excellent, for we enjoyed it much, in a generous supply smothered in the usual condiments of sugar and cream.
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