202 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



The beautiful Bilhcrgia MoreJiana, of wbic]] an illustration 

 ■acconipaDies these remarks, is a robust ppecies of the most attrac- 

 tive character. The flowers are yellowish green, tipped with bluish 

 violet, and set in pink calyces. The large handsome bracts which 

 constitute the chief beauty of the llower-s])ikes are of a rich crim- 

 son, and with the flowers form a very pleasing aud eft'ective combi- 

 nation. A very full and accurate monograph of this interesting and 

 remarkable family of plants has recently been contributed to La Beli- 

 g'ujue IIorticole,\)Y Professor Morren, the accomplished editor of that 

 periodical, and to its pages we must refer those of our readers who 

 may be desirous of making themselves thoroughly conversant with 

 the characteristics of the whole of the known species. AV. 



POT CULTUEE OF THE STRAWBEREY. 



BY A KENTISH GAKDENEE. 



jTEAWBERRY culture in pots is increasing rapidly in 

 favour amongst amateurs, for to obtain a few dishes of 

 well-ripened fruit before the crops obtainable from the 

 open beds have attained maturity is a feat of which the 

 non-professional may well be proud. There are just 

 sufficient difficulties in the management of the plants to give the 

 amateur an interest in his work, and none of them are insurmount- 

 able. With a view to assist those who may be desirous of growing 

 the strawberry in pots, for securing an early supply of fruit, I have 

 prepared a few notes which cannot be otherwise than useful, for 

 they contain the essence of nearly a quarter of a century's experi- 

 ence in the work. Before passing on to the cultural details, I 

 would like to say that it is not needful to force strawberries that 

 are grown in pots. Many amateurs suppose that when the plants 

 are in pots they require the assistance of artificial heat to enable 

 them to bring the crop to maturity, but it is not so, unless the fruit 

 is required to be ripe at the earliest possible moment. Indeed, as 

 light aud air are such important elements in bringing the fruit 

 to perfection, and developing its proper flavour, it is preferable when 

 only one set of plants are grown, to bring them oq without the 

 assistance of fire-heat. As a rale, fruit produced ia a cool house will 

 be ripe quite six weeks or two mouths before that obtainable from 

 the open beds. It will be seen therefore that with the aid of a 

 greenhouse, or one of Boulton's frames or plant preservers, a most 

 liberal supply may be obtained with no more labour than is attendant 

 on the preparation and management of the plants. It may also be 

 well to mention that the details of the management of a few dozen 

 plants or several hundred does not difter materially. 



^s soon as the strawberry runners are formed, the work of layer- 

 ing them in small pots must be commenced. First of all prepare 

 sufficient soil for filling the pots, and this should consist of three 

 parts loam to one part leaf-soil. I prefer a rather heavy soil in this 



