io 4 FRUIT GROWING FOR AMATEURS 



or even placing panes of glass or wood under them. The pros- 

 pects of a crop are sometimes ruined by late frost when the 

 plants are in bloom. If frost threatens when the flowers are open 

 it is well worth while to take steps to protect them, especially 

 if the plantation is a small one, by scattering straw, bracken, 

 or any other similar material over them for the night to pre- 

 vent them being ruined. 



Layering. Late in June layering must commence, if it is 

 wished to increase the stock ; in fact, this ought to be done 

 every year so that there shall be fresh plants to replace those 

 that are pulled up. Needless to say, it is advisable to make the 

 fresh plantation on different ground from that on which the 

 old plants were grown. This,- like most other crops, benefits 

 from fresh ground. 



The actual process of layering is well shown in the accom- 

 panying sketches, and is quite simple to perform. Several little 

 plants will be found on each of the runners or stalk-like growths 

 that are produced by the old plants. It is wise not to layer 

 more than one on each stalk, and that nearest the parent plant 

 is usually the best. A watch should be kept for those known 

 as " blind " runners ; that is to say, those having a defective 

 centre ; the centre ought to be firm and full of embryo leaves. 

 Having selected the runners to be layered, it remains only to 

 peg down each one in a small pot filled with sandy soil. For 

 this purpose, small wooden pegs are commonly used, though 

 hairpins will do, or pegs may be dispensed with altogether, 

 merely a stone being placed upon the stalk of the runner 

 to keep it on the soil. Instead of layering into small pots the 

 gardener may peg the runners into the ground or in pieces of 

 turf. 



The little plants will soon form roots if they are kept moist, 

 and in three or four weeks will be ready to remove. The stalks 

 attaching the runners to the parent plants are severed, and the 

 Strawberries may be at once planted out to form a new bed as 

 already described. 



Growing Strawberries in Pots. If it is intended to grow 

 the plants under glass for the purpose of obtaining early fruits, 

 the rooted runners are repotted into flower-pots 6 inches wide, 

 and* are kept out of doors until late autumn. A suitable com- 

 post for this purpose consists of good turfy loam with which a 

 little decayed manure and bonemeal are mixed. At the approach 



