Ho THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Watering and Feeding. Tho plants should be attended to once a day in the early 

 stages of growth, giving water to those in need of it, and those only, for a sodden 

 condition of the soil is injurious. As the plants advance in growth water will be 

 required more freely, examining them twice or three times a day. Liquid manure 

 is of great advantage while the fruits are swelling. A little chemical manure, 

 say a pinch between the thumb and two forefingers to each pot, sprinkled on the 

 soil once a week is equally efficient, ceasing the supply of both when the fruit changes 

 for ripening. The liquid manure and water should be used in a tepid state. After the 

 earliest fruits are coloured evenly, water must only be given to prevent the foliage 



flagging. 



Thinning the Flowers and Weights of Fruit. The remarks on page 231 have equal 

 reference here. Cultivators must exercise judgment in thinning the flowers and fruit, 

 remembering that eight to twelve strawberries to a pound represent twice the value 

 of treble the number. If fine dishes are wanted for particular purposes the "king" 

 fruits only must be retained, cutting the others away. Choice specimens may weigh 

 as follows : La Grosse Sucre'e f to 1 ounce, Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury ! ounce, Sir 

 Harry \\ ounce, President, Sir Joseph Paxton, Sir Charles Napier, and British Queen 

 1| to 2 ounces; Noble and Auguste Nicaise 2 to 2 ounces, and Marguerite 3| to 

 4 ounces. Forked twigs of hazel or birch form good supports for the fruit, the lower 

 ends pointed and thrust into the soil at such an angle as will best keep the trusses in the 

 position desired above the foliage. Small stakes, and the fruit stems secured to them 

 with string, are useful in the case of large fruit. 



Retarding the Fruit. This is sometimes necessary in order to maintain the succession 

 or reserve fruit for a particular occasion. It must not bo attempted before the fruit 

 is well advanced in colour ; then the plants may be removed to a north house, where 

 abundance of air can be admitted, and a temperature of about 60 maintained. The 

 fruit when ripe, or nearly so, will also keep some time on the plants if moved to a cool 

 airy fruit room, admitting light. When the fruit ripens too fast, a single thickness 

 of tiffany shading retards the process, keeping the house cool and airy. 



Strawberries in Autumn and Winter. Forced plants ripening their fruit in March 

 will ripen another crop in late August and September, those fruited in April in October, 

 and the May-fruited plants in November. La Grosse Sucre'e, Vicomtesse Hericart 

 de Thury, and Sir Harry give the finest and best-coloured fruits. The plants must 

 be gradually hardened before being placed outdoors. They may be planted in an 



