STRAWBERRIES' -TEMPERATURE AND VENTILATION. 2*9 



temperature up to 60, and the day, by artificial means, to 65. At this stage the 

 plants may be removed to a warmer and moister structure, or if the crop has to be 

 finished in the same house, maintain a night temperature of 60 to 65, or 70 on warm 

 nights, 70 to 75 by day, artificially, and 80 to 90 through the day from sun heat. 

 In this the fruit will swell rapidly, and when the earliest are coloured, a temperature 

 of 60 to 65 at night and 70 to 75 by day is sufficient, a high day temperature 

 being kept down by admitting air more liberally. The fruit is found to have better 

 flavour than when ripened in a high and moist atmosphere. 



Ventilation. Until growth is commencing ventilation will not be required till 

 the temperature reaches the day limit ; then it must be given freely. Leave a little 

 air at the top of the house constantly, except when it is closed in the afternoon. This 

 procedure is to be adopted throughout the whole of the forcing process, admitting a 

 little air before nightfall, and gaining 5 each day on the maximum temperature 

 by early closing. There are two exceptions to the rule : (1) when the plants are 

 flowering, and (2) when the fruit is ripening. 



1. The plants must have time to develop and form the organs of fructification. If 

 placed in strong heat and kept close, the flowers may appear perfect, but the stamens 

 turn black, and the pistils, instead of being a lively greenish yellow, become dark and 

 abortive. Gradual development is imperative under early and free ventilation, yet 

 avoid sudden fluctuations of temperature, cold currents of air and a moist atmosphere. 

 Moisture deposited on the flowers browns the corollas, converts the pollen into paste, 

 and destroys the pistils. Genial air in motion is essential to secure a good set, gently 

 rapping the trusses when the pollen is ripe, or brushing the flowers lightly on fine 

 day.s with a feather, or rabbit's tail mounted on a stick, and maintaining a moderately 

 dry atmosphere. 



2. When the fruit is ripening a circulation of rather dry air must be maintained 

 constantly, ventilating freely when the days are sunny. 



Syringing. Practise this morning and evening until the flowering period, except when 

 the weather is dull and cold and the foliage does not get dry before night. In dull 

 weather damping avaikble surfaces in the morning and afternoon will be sufficient, as the 

 foliage must not be kept dripping with moisture. "When the flowers commence opening 

 a slight syringing will not do harm on fine days, but when fully expanded syringing 

 is generally discontinued. After flowering syringing may again be practised morning 

 and early afternoon, ceasing when the fruits give the first indications of ripening. 



