STRAWBERRY. 73 



plants are in bloom, as much air should be admitted as 

 possible without lowering the temperature or allowing a 

 direct current to strike upon the plants. In clear weather 

 the plants will generally require water once a day, and 

 sometimes twice. Care should be observed not to let the 

 leaves wilt, but do not give so much water that the soil 

 shall become sodden and heavy. 



A few applications of liquid manure may be beneficial, 

 provided the compost used is not sufficiently rich. When 

 the fruit is set and swelling, is a good time to apply it, but 

 withhold it after the fruit begins to ripen. 



The reserved plants should be stored where they will 

 not be frozen. A light, warm cellar or walled pit, 

 covered with glass, will answer the purpose a place 

 where they will receive light, and not be frozen, 

 yet so cool that they will not be excited into growth. 

 Sometimes plants a year old are taken up in the fall and 

 potted, and used for forcing, but those prepared as de- 

 scribed are preferable. Forcing houses are sometimes so 

 arranged that the plants are set directly in the ground 

 without pots. A more vigorous growth of plant is se- 

 cured by this method, but it is doubtful if the crop of 

 fruit is increased. 



Plants that have been once used for forcing should be 

 discarded and not used for the same purpose again. It 

 may be advisable, in cases of scarcity, to plant them out 

 in the open ground in spring, for they will occasionally 

 produce a moderate crop late in the season. 



All the different operations may be varied to suit the 

 circumstances of the case, as in open air culture ; and 

 I have only endeavored to give a general plan, omit- 

 ting minute details, which the grower will readily 

 supply while the operation is in progress. At every step 

 caution and a due amount of thought are requisite such 

 as preventing cold currents of air striking the plants 

 4 



