THE FLORAL WOBLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 245 



into the sized pots in which it is intended they are to remain, in 

 six-inch, eight-inch, or nine-inch, as the case may be. They are 

 then placed on ashes in beds, with alleys for convenience in water- 

 ing and taking off runners. 



Mr. Turnbull, who forced 2,000 plants annually at Blenheim, 

 used to pot a quantity in nine-inch pots ; they did admirably, three 

 in a pot. Potting in nine-inch pots possesses many advantages 

 over the old plan — such as a saving of room, etc., and they do not 

 get dry so soon as small pots, consequently the roots are preserved. 



I recollect Mr. Turnbull sent some plants, well fruited and 

 staked out, to the dessert table as they were grown. Those who 

 witnessed the plan of potting in nine-inch pots were unanimous in 

 approving of it most highly, both for productiveness and good 

 economy. During the growing season the plants are inclined to 

 make runners, which should be closely watched, and, as soon as 

 they make their appearance, cut or pinched off. It is a good plan 

 to go over the stock every three days. As regards watering, great 

 care is requisite on the part of the cultivator never to allow the 

 plants to flag for want of water ; water should be supplied copiously 

 in hot weather. I have known the time when we were obliged to 

 water two or three times a day during hot weather, otherwise the 

 plants must have suffered from drought ; hence they become un- 

 healthy and unproductive. It was customary to water with deer or 

 sheep-dung diluted in pond water twice a week. The first 500 

 plants were potted the first week in July, if it were possible to get 

 them, in order to get fine plants fit to introduce into the forcing-pit 

 the first week in December. Before introducing the plants into the 

 forcing-pit, a bed of fermenting material was put in, composed of 

 half-spent dung, or leaves from the linings, or otherwise. This was 

 to excite the roots gradually into a growing state, which both 

 strengthens the root and accelerates the growth of the plant. When 

 the temperature of the bed had sunk to a moderate heat, the pots 

 were put in and half plunged. In October, before the frost came, 

 those plants which we did not intend to force early were stored 

 away in spare frames or pits, plunged to the rim in old tan, or ashes, 

 or soil, till required for excitement. Some were stacked in ridges 

 running from north to south, in ashes ; on the top of the ridge was 

 placed boards, to prevent wet getting to the roots and pots. In very 

 severe weather dry litter was thrown over the ridge, thus preventing 

 any serious injury to the roots by the action of frost or the impulse 

 of sharp winds. Those plants which we begun to force had no more 

 water than was necessary, till we could perceive the bud had begun 

 to expand, or in cases where the plants were very dry. Every 

 forcing gardener knows how important it is to be sparing of water 

 to strawberries early forced in pots. Much care is requisite on the 

 part of the cultivator to keep the soil sweet ; for, if it happens to sour 

 through overmuch moisture, the result is a failure. We began with 

 a temperature of 48° night heat, allowing 12 u or 14° of maximum 

 of heat during day. Special care was taken not to fire higher for a 

 few weeks. As the plants progressed in growth, the temperature 

 was gradually raised according to the stage of their growth. When 



August. 



