*j8 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE, 



Span (D, Fig. 58) and three-quarters span-roofed (E) cucumber or melon houses are 

 often utilised, and answer well when fitted with movable stages to bring the plants 

 to the light for strawberry forcing. This is imperative in early forcing. Later in the 

 season the plants succeed at 2 or 3 feet or more from the glass, provided they have 

 unobstructed light and abundance of air, but not in sharp currents. 



A lean-to house is the best for early forcing. It should face south and be fitted 

 with shelves about 15 inches from the glass, allowing 1 foot horizontal space for each 

 row, and a similar distance between the shelves vertically. This allows of the plants 

 being easily examined, and watered from behind the stage. Three-quarters span-roofed 

 houses facing the south are also excellent for early forcing. Span-roofed houses with 

 the ends east and west only are good also, forcing on the south side. With the ends 

 north and south, span-roofed structures answer admirably for midseason and late forcing. 



Starting. Plants introduced about the middle of November will afford ripe frail 

 in March, sometimes in February, and to maintain a regular supply, successional plants 

 must follow at intervals of three weeks till May ; the latest of these ought to yield 

 splendid fruit till the outdoor crop is ready. The beginning of the year is, as a rule, 

 early enough to commence forcing with a view to full crops ; and, to insure an unbroken 

 supply of fruit, some of the second early plants should be introduced at the same time 

 as the first early sorts, and so on with the midseason and late varieties. 



Before placing the plants in position remove decayed leaves, but retain all the 

 green foliage. Clear the surface of the soil from any mossy growths ; see to the drain- 

 age, and rectify it if necessary ; also expel worms with lime water. Wash the pots 

 clean, and top-dress with a little fresh loam with a quart each of soot and super- 

 phosphate added to every bushel, pressing down moderately and leave enough space 

 for holding water. 



Temperature. Commence forcing with 40 to 45 at night, and from 45 to 50 by 

 day. Continue this for ten days or a fortnight, or if there is no hurry until the crowns 

 push the embryo flower-stalks and leaves, then gradually raise the temperature to 50 

 at night and 55 by day in mild weather ; in cold periods allow the night temperature 

 to fall 5, raising the heat soon after daybreak, or if very dull and cold keep at 5 less 

 through the day. Allow an advance of 5 by day when cloudy, 10 with sun and 

 cloud alternating, and 15 with a clear sky, closing early to advance 5 on the tempera- 

 tures named. Continue these temperatures until the fruit is set ; then raise them 5 

 in the course of a week, and 5 more in the course of another. This will bring the night 



