200 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



mould added to the other three barrowfuls of soil will be of service 

 in promoting a healthy root action, for they are rather delicately 

 rooted, and require encouragement. 



When the flowers begin to open, the house in which the plants 

 are growing should be shaded with tiffany or canvas when the sun is 

 bright, or the beauty of the flowers will be soon spoiled. Green-fly 

 is the greatest enemy these plants have, and sometimes thrip will 

 make its appearance. Both these pests are easily kept down with 

 tobacco smoke, if taken in time. It is a difficult matter, besides the 

 plants being seriously injured, if they are allowed to get ahead. 

 Give the house a good smoking directly half a dozen can be seen. 

 Smoke the plants for two or three nights in succession, just before 

 they come into bloom, otherwise they will get ahead during that 

 time, and it will be impossible to touch them, for the tobacco smoke 

 would cause every flower to fall off. As I have already observed, 

 they must be turned out of doors as soon as they are past their 

 best, and pruned towards the end of July. In the process of 

 pruning, they must be cut down to within two or three eyes from 

 the old wood. In doing this, tlie shape of the plants must be con- 

 sidered, and the wood cut back accordingly. The plants will do 

 very well stood out of doors until they make a new growth about an 

 inch long, provided the weather is not too wet, for if the soil in the 

 pots gets sour, there is a danger of losing some. In that case it will 

 be advisable to give them the protection of a cold frame. After the 

 growth has commenced, shake them out of the pots, remove the 

 greater portion of the old soil, prune the roots, and repot in ^S's. 

 place in frames, and keep close for a week or two, and then remove 

 the lights entirely in fine weather, and place in greenhouse some 

 time in October, and repot in January, and then treat as advised for 

 young plants. Specimens wanted in bloom in May must be stopped 

 in January ; for June, in March ; and for July, the end of April. 

 Give plenty of light and air at all times. 



AN IMPEOVED SYSTEM OF STRAWBEEEY- GROWING 

 m THE OPEN AIE. 



N" dealing with this subject, I thought it best to head 

 it with Strawberry-growing in the Open Air, other- 

 wise I felt afraid that many who might be able to 

 receive some little benefit from it would pass it by, 

 thinking that it related to forcing this delicious 

 and useful fruit. As this is the season for making preparations for 

 next year's supply, and very few people think of making plantations 

 at this time of the year, I hope I shall gain attention. Those who 

 thoroughly understand the importance of being able to gather a 

 crop the first year, instead of having to wait until the second season 

 after planting before they can reap the fruits of their labours, will 

 not be very much in need of my advice. Perhaps I shall be met 

 with the assertion, that if you plant the strawberry plants in Julj, 



