70 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



last more than two or three years, and they will frequently 

 fail after producing one large crop. The safest plan is 

 not to expect more than two crops, and to make the beds 

 upon fresh soil, where no Strawberries have been grown 

 for at least two seasons. 



FORCING STRAWBERRIES. 



The term forcing is generally used to indicate that a 

 fruit is made to ripen at other than its season. In Europe 

 the forcing of Strawberries has been extensively practiced 

 for a long time, but in thiu country very little attention 

 has been paid to this system of cultivation until within the 

 past few years. 



There are few plants that will grow more readily, or 

 produce more fruit in proportion to the expense incurred, 

 than the Strawberry when grown under glass. 



When only a few plants are to be forced, and the object 

 is merely to obtain fruit a few weeks in advance of the 

 usual time, then a common hot bed may be used for the 

 purpose. The plants, however, should be prepared the 

 season previous, and stored where they can be had when 

 wanted in early spring. 



An ordinary green-house, such as is used for tender exotic 

 plants, will answer the purpose. But one which has a 

 roof so low down that the plants will be within two or 

 three feet of the glass is better than one that is consider- 

 ably higher ; besides, it will take much less fire to heat a 

 low house than a high one. 



The soil in which the plants are to be grown should be 

 exceedingly rich. A compost made of three-fourths old 

 sods or turfy loam, and one-fourth barn-yard manure, will 

 be found excellent for this purpose, and if there is consid- 

 srable cow manure among the latter so much the better. 



Mix these materials together, and let them become 

 thoroughly decomposed before using. The mor e frequently 



