244 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



prevent them from bruising each other. When unpacked, the bran 

 will fall out from amongst them, and if any remain, it should be 

 removed with a small painter's brush. The berries should then be 

 treated as before directed, when tbey will be ready for the table. 

 The smaller fruits, such as gooseberries, currants, etc., should be 

 packed in flat tin cases, and on no account should a large quantity 

 be put into the case. If this is done, they will not be fit for use at 

 their journey's end. All these small fruits should be packed in bran, 

 which can be easily removed when they are unpacked. This will 

 prevent them from bruising one another. "When unpacked, they 

 should then be laid in some cool apartment until they are required 

 for use. 



FOECING STEAWBEEEIES. 



BT A CONTRIBUTOR. 



pE time has now arrived when every gardener who forces 

 strawberries will have commenced potting the runners, 

 in order to make good plants of them for early excite- 

 ment. Perhaps a few observations on their culture in 

 pots, by one who has had ample experience, may not be 

 out of place. 



I would have it understood, however, that I do not regard the 

 system I advocate as anything new ; but I am convinced that the 

 plan is ererything which a good and successful plan ought to be, if 

 care is taken to carry it out well. 



The soil I have seen used, and that, too, attended with the very 

 best results, was brown, fibrous loam which had been taken from a 

 pasturage. The top spit only was taken off to the depth of about 

 three or four inches. It was used immediately afterwards, in as 

 green a state as possible. When used in this state, it was said to 

 contain more of the constituents of plants, more alimentary matter, 

 and other organic substances most desirable to produce a healthy, 

 vigorous action of root. It was used in most cases chopped up 

 rough, almost as large as we could get it into the pots. Decom- 

 posed horse-dung was used at the rate of one barrow-load to two of 

 loam. If the soil was too stiff, it was corrected by the addition of 

 sand or sandy earth, or lime rubbish, or bruised charcoal. The plan 

 of putting the runners into three-inch pots is undoubtedly the best. 

 If potted otherwise at the first onset, in six-inch or larger size 

 pots, the soil becomes deteriorated, exhausted, and deprived of its 

 organizable matter, through the constant application of water. 

 In choosing the runners for potting, we always selected them from 

 plants which had been forced, experience having revealed to us the 

 fact that those runners which were taken from plants which had 

 been forced came into bearing sooner, and not only that, their fruit 

 was larger. As soon as the runners have filled the three-inch pots 

 with roots, they are separated from the parent plant, and potted 



