387 



Renewal of Plantations. Though Strawberry plantations will last 

 several years and give good returns, yet the better plan is to renew them 

 after two seasons' growth. Young plants will, as a rule, bear more freely 

 and produce better fruit than older ones. Planters should renew half the 

 area under Strawberries every season, and by this means they will always 

 have beds in the most thrifty condition. In the warmer districts where 

 long summer droughts are common, Strawberries often give the most 

 satisfactory returns if the plantations are renewed every year. Plantations 

 in these dry localities suffer severely from the effects of sun and drought, 

 unless they receive an amount of attention and care which in many cases 

 it is impossible to give them. On the other hand, by treating the plants 

 as annuals and breaking up the plantation after the fruiting season, the 

 cultivator will have no trouble during the summer, it is also advisable 

 to change the land frequently, as Strawberries are a very exhausting crop. 

 Strawberries are frequently used as edging plants for walks in kitchen or 

 cottage gardens, but they are not well adapted for this purpose, as their 

 growth is not sufficiently compact, and their runners are apt to be 

 troublesome. The Alpine section is the best for this purpose, as the 

 plants do not, as a rule, produce runners. 



CULTIVATION' UXDKR GLASS. 



In Europe it is a common practice to grow Strawberries under 

 glass, either in pots or when planted in beds in frames or houses. 

 Though in tin's part of the world artificial cultivation is not of so 

 much importance as in the northern countries of Europe, yet it may 

 prove serviceable under certain conditions, and more especially in the 

 cooler regions of Australasia. Strawberries may bo grown under the 

 shelter of glass without artificial heat .simply to obtain fruit a week 

 or two in advance of the usual time. Plants in pots may be grown 

 under the same conditions for table decoration, and, being very 

 effective when used in this way, they are well deserving of special 

 attention for the purpose If Strawberries are required out of 

 season the plants should be grown in hot beds or heated houses or 

 frames kept at a temperature of from sixty-five to seventy degrees by 

 day and fifty-five to sixty-five at night. The plants must be watered 

 sufficiently to keep the soil moderately moist, bnt not soddened. and 

 should be frequently syringed or sprinkled over the foliage till they 

 come into flower, when the tops ought to be kept rather dry till after 

 the fruit has set. Air should be admitted freely in the day t ime, 

 taking' care that the plants are not exposed to strong cm-rents. In 

 growing plants under glass, either forced or otherwise in pots or in 

 beds, j, rich open soil is essential, and well-rotted manure may be 

 used freely. It is also necessary that the pots or beds, as the case; 

 may be, should have effective drainage. Another essential is that the 

 plants should be close to the glass, or otherwise they will become 

 drawn and weakly. Various styles of houses are in use for growing 

 Strawberries, according to the fancies or requirements of cultivators. 

 One of the most serviceable structures is shown l>\ the illustration, 



