Small and Bush Fruits: Strawberries 169 



may be planted out on a piece of open ground in rows about 2 ft. apart. 

 They must be watered if necessary, and all weeds and runners kept under. 

 Under these conditions the plants will make good crowns, and they should 

 be lifted and potted in March, or they may be planted direct into pits, 

 within 12 in. of the glass, to allow of the fruit trusses being tied up and 

 exposed to the sun. A stake on each side of the plant, and a string round, 

 will be found the best and quickest method of supporting the fruit. 

 On a hot day in May water will be necessary twice a day, in the morning 

 and afternoon, and any neglect of supplies will soon show. 



Should the plants, when under cover, be attacked by green fly a fumi- 

 gation with tobacco will be found the best remedy, taking care not to do it 

 when the plants are in full flower, or some of the organs may be damaged, 

 and the flowers fail to set well. Red Spider will sometimes attack the 

 plants, especially if they are allowed to suffer from lack of water and 

 feeding. 



Should mildew appear on the plants, sulphuring the pipes when hot 

 will be found the best remedy; but this cannot be applied if the Straw- 

 berries are growing with plants that are tender and liable to injury. In 

 this case dissolve \ oz. of sulphide of potassium (liver of sulphur) in 1 gall, 

 of water and syringe the plants with it, using a very fine spray and 

 wetting every part. If thoroughly done, one application is generally 

 sufficient, and as the price of sulphide is only about Is. per pound the cost 

 of this remedy is very small. 



Years ago, Keen's Seedling, La Grosse Sucre"e, Viscomtess Hericart 

 de Thury, President, Sir Chas. Napier, and Sir Joseph Paxton used to be 

 the varieties grown for forcing, but they are now all superseded by 

 Laxton's Royal Sovereign. It is safe to say that practically no other 

 variety is now grown under glass for profit. It is found to be a good 

 " doer " in every way, and each plant will produce twice as much fruit as 

 the old Keen's Seedling used to. 



La Grosse Sucree is a good variety for very early work, especially in 

 the vicinity of towns, as it sets well under adverse conditions; but the 

 fruit is not so large, or of such a bright attractive colour, as Royal Sovereign; 

 and it is the same with strawberries as with apples the colour helps to 

 sell them. 



President is a good Strawberry for cropping and flavour, but will not 

 stand very early forcing; and Paxton was always subject to attacks of 

 mildew. The average weight of fruit from forced plants should be about 

 \ Ib. each, and individual berries often weigh 2 oz. under the best conditions. 



Very early fruit is sometimes sold at a very high figure on special 

 occasions, but the days of high prices are gone. There is too much selection 

 for consumers now when peaches, plums, pears, apples, and grapes in 

 almost endless variety can be procured all the year round to induce them 

 to give fabulous prices for strawberries. Still, however, with an average 

 price of about 3s. per pound there is some profit to the grower, as a heavier 

 weight is produced per pleat; and once stock is obtained there is no great 



