374 VILLA GARDENING part iv 



are picked off the first autumn, and all flowers the next spring, some 

 very strong early runners will be produced, which may be secured 

 in advance of other methods. Early growth leads to early maturity, 

 and early rest is the natural precursor to early awaking. This is 

 the condition the forcing gardener desires, as it not only saves fuel 

 but leads to better residts. There is more than one way of treating 

 the early runners. They may be layered into small pots, and, when 

 the plants are established, severed from their parents. In the 

 course of two or three weeks they should be placed in their fruiting 

 pots, which will be for the most part 6 inches in diameter, or what 

 are commonly known as 32's. Pots a size smaller are sometimes 

 employed, but 6-inch pots are the best, and give less trouble. 



Soil and Potting. — Next in importance to the selection of 

 the runner is the question of soil and the potting of the plants. 

 A rather heavy loam should form the main staple, with something 

 added to enrich it. A very easy way of doing this is to place the 

 loam and the maniu-e in alternate layers when the loam is first 

 carted home. A compost of horse-droppings fresh from the stable, 

 from which all litter has been shaken, about one cartload of drop- 

 pings to three or foiu: (according to quality) of loam, packed up in 

 a ridge and left for eight or ten months, and then chopped down 

 and broken up for use, to be thoroughly incorporated, will grow 

 many other thmgs well besides Strawberries. The drainage of the 

 fruiting-pots should be carefully seen to, as the plants will need a 

 good deal of water through the forcing time imtil the fruit begins 

 to colour; but one crock to cover the hole in the bottom, and 

 1| inches in depth of small crocks over it, will be sufiicient for 

 6-inch pots. Place a handful of rough fragments of turfy loam 

 on the crocks. Keep the crown of the plant well up in the 

 pot, and ram the soil firmly in. Have the ground in a proper 

 condition, being neither wet nor dry, but in a nice friable state. 

 When the plants are potted they shoidd be placed in an open 

 situation, on a bed of ashes, or on boards, or some impervious 

 bottom, where worms cannot penetrate. All weeds must be pulled 

 from the pots, and all runners cut from the plants. Neither 

 should they be crowded, but every plant should have room 

 for the proper development of its foliage. The supply of water 

 must be ample, giving liquid manure two or three times a week 

 till the end of September. By that time all growth should be 

 finished, and the pots full of roots. Though frost would not hurt 

 plump well-ripened crowns, it would certainly break the pots if 

 they were exposed to it ; and for that reason, before severe frost 

 sets in, the plants should be plunged up to the tops in ashes or 

 old tan, or something that will protect the pots. I have often 



