Fragaria
(from Fraga, the old Latin name, from the same root as fragrans, fragrant; referring to the perfume of the fruit). Strawberry. ORD. Rosaceae. A genus of three or four species of hardy (except where otherwise stated) perennial scapigerous herbs, with runners, natives of North temperate regions, the Andes, Sandwich Islands, and Bourbon. Flowers white or yellow, honeyed, often polygamous; achenes many, minute, embedded on the surface of the large convex fleshy receptacle. Leaves three-foliolate (in the British species), pinnate or one-foliolate. Several of the so-called species have, without doubt, originated from two or three; many of them, however, preserve a well-marked character. For cultivation, see Strawberry. F. chilensis (Chilian).* fl. white; sepals erect; peduncles thick and silky. April and May. fr. rose-coloured, flesh white, pendulous. l., leaflets obovate, obtuse, serrated, coriaceous, wrinkled, silky beneath. h. 1ft. South America, 1727.
F. c. grandiflora (large-flowered).* Pine Strawberry. fl. white; sepals reflexed; peduncles thick. April and May. fr. red. l., leaflets glaucous, coriaceous, broadly crenated, pilose beneath. h. 1ft. 1759. F. collina (hill). Green Pine. fl. white; sepals, after flowering, erect. April to June. fr. green. l., leaflets plicate, thin, silky above and pilose beneath. h. 9in. Europe, 1798.
F. elatior (taller). Hautbois. fl. white; sepals at length reflexed on the peduncles. April and May. Receptacle firm, adhering but little to the calyx. l., leaflets plicate, rather coriaceous, green. h. 1ft. Europe. This, which is much larger than F. vesca, is probably derived from that species; it is frequently met with as a garden escape in a semi-naturalised condition in Britain. (Sy. En. B. 439.) F. indica (Indian).* fl. golden-yellow; calyx ten-parted, outer five segments accessory, large, foliaceous, tridentate at the apex, and spreading; peduncles axillary, solitary, one-flowered. May to October. fr. red, insipid, numerous. l. trifoliolate; leaflets cuneate-ovate, deep green, crenated. India, Japan, &c., 1805. A very pretty little greenhouse trailer. (A. B. R. 479.) F. vesca (edible). Common Wild Strawberry. fl. white; sepals at length reflexed. April and May. fr. pendulous. l., leaflets plicate, thin, pilose beneath. h. 6in. to 12in. Britain. (Sy. En. B. 438.) F. v. monophylla (one-leaved). Alpine Strawberry. fl. white. May. fr. round, small, pendulous; receptacle elongated, red. l. simple, crenately toothed. h. 6in. Europe, 1773. (B. M. 63.) F. virginiana (Virginian). Scarlet Strawberry. fl. white; peduncles and pedicels length of leaves. April. fr. deep red when ripe; receptacle very tumid, pendulous. h. 1ft. North America, 1629.
FRAMES, GARDEN. Frames are portable garden structures among the most useful for various purposes at all seasons, particularly in spring and early summer, when large quantities of different subjects have to be prepared for transplanting outside. They may also be effectively employed in forcing operations, where pits are limited, by being placed on a hotbed of fermenting material, and covered with mats and dry litter, according to the state of the weather, or the amount of heat required inside. Cucumbers and Melons, and a large proportion of greenhouse winter-flowering plants in pots, as well as those for more immediate use, may be successfully cultivated in Frames during the summer. In winter, the latter may be utilised for storing plants that merely require protection from frost, by placing a quantity of dry litter round the woodwork, and covering the glass with mats, &c. Frames are made of different sizes, none being so generally useful as those having two sashes, each measuring about 6ft. long by 4ft. wide, for which, and for Fig. 31, we are indebted to Messrs. Boulton and Paul, of Norwich), or others large enough to take three sashes of similar dimensions. The frames of these sashes should be 2in. thick, and each fitted with an iron handle for opening, and a cross bar of iron for strengthening them. The Frame or box itself is usually made of deal timber, 1 1/4in. or 1 1/2in. thick, a height of 18in. being allowed at the back, and 13 1/2in. at the front, or other heights may be adopted in a similar proportion. The corners should be dovetailed, and further strengthened by pieces of wood fitted inside. Frames may be purchased ready for use, but they are expensive, and seldom so strong as those which can be made at home, somewhat like that above described. A new Three-quarter Span-roof Frame, made by Messrs. Boulton and Paul, of Norwich, is represented in Fig. 31. When made in this shape, it has the advantage of giving more height inside than with the ordinary sashes. The sashes here shown are hung to the ridge in such a way that the front ones may be turned right over on the others at the back, and the reverse. An iron prop accompanies each Frame, to hold the lights wide open for attending to the plants, and each light is provided with a fastening that serves the double purpose of securing it against wind, and raising it for ventilation. Like the ordinary Frames, these are made in various sizes. Other sorts may be procured with iron standards and framework, the sashes being made of wood, and glazed in the ordinary way, or without putty. One of the most popular and best-constructed of this description is that made by Messrs. Foster and Pearson, Nottingham A somewhat novel, but effective, mode of ventilation is adopted. The sashes are held open at any angle required, by dropping a stout hook, attached to each, into a contrivance cast in the iron rafters, something like part of a cog-wheel. This holds them safely in any position in which they are placed. The sashes may easily be removed and replaced if desired; and the ridge is made to lift up and down its whole length by a lever, as a means of ventilation in wet weather. Where expense in purchasing is no object, Frames like this are very useful and durable. They are best suited to remain where placed permanently. For sectional representations of simple and chambered Frames, see Cucumber.