478 THE FRUIT-GARDEN. [SEPT. 



all the watering which is given to the plants in warm dry seasons, 

 will not be sufficient to procure abundant crops ; nor should the 

 ground be made overly rick with dung, for that would cause the 

 plants to run into suckers, grow too luxuriant, and render them less 

 fruitful. 



Any time this month that the weather proves moist, you should 

 take advantage of it, for making your general plantations of 

 strawberries ; but if dry and hot, it will be better to defer that work 

 to the last week thereof, or first in October; not later if pos- 

 sible, as the plants will be greatly benefittedby having time to form 

 good roots before winter. But should the weather then prove un- 

 favourable you should proceed to planting, after which, plentiful 

 and frequent waterings must be given, till the plants are well 

 rooted. 



The sets proper for planting at this time, are those produced, 

 in the present year, from the young runners ; selecting them as 

 before noticed ; or such as were taken off in June and transplanted 

 into nursery beds. When taken up, the roots should be trimmed, 

 the decayed leaves picked off, and also any small vines or runners 

 issuing from the plants. 



The ground should be well dug and, if necessary, previously 

 manured with a sufficiency of old well rotted dung, then laid out 

 into four feet wide beds, with alleys between, of eighteen or twenty 

 inches, for the convenience of going in occasionally to weed and 

 water the plants, and to gather the fruit. Each bed is to contain 

 four rows of plants, the large kinds eighteen inches distant in the 

 rows, and t.ie small sorts fifteen. Close the earth well about the 

 roots of each plant, and when finished, water the whole plentifully, 

 should the weather happen to be dry at the time. 



Tiie old strawberry beds will require to be kept clear from large 

 overgrown weeds, and in October are to have their autumn dressing 

 as there directed. 



N. B. If you intend to force strawberries in the winter or early 

 spring months, this is the time to pot them for that purpose. 

 The alpine and scarletkinds are the best for forcing; they should be 

 strong plants, of two years old, and in a proper state for full bearing. 

 Provide as many pots of about seven inches diameter at top, and 

 made in proportion, as you think may be sufficient, and at the same 

 time get some good loamy earth, made fine with the spade, place 

 a few inches thereof into the bottom of each pot, previously laying 

 a shell over each hole as directed on former occasions, then take up 

 each plant with a ball of earth to its roots, pare the ball neatly round 

 with the knife, clear the plant from decayed leaves and runners, 

 place it in the pot and fill up the spaces round the sides and over 

 the surface of the ball with fine earth. Water the whole when pot- 

 ted, and remove them to the shade for eight or ten days, till newly 

 rooted ; then you may plunge them to their rims in any open part 

 of the garden, there to remain, watering them occasionally, till the 

 approach of winter, when the pots are to be placed under the pro- 

 tection of frames and glasses, till taken into the forcing depart- 

 ments. 



