330 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



should be passed through a screen to fill the pots for layering, 

 the lumps being thrown back on the heap. For this purpose 

 the soil needs to be in smaller particles than for potting at a 

 later stage, so that the delicate rootlets may enter it easily. 

 When there is an opportunity for doing so it is a good plan to 

 fill the pots a few days before they are needed and then there 

 need be no undue delay in getting them into position at the 

 proper time. Before filling them soak the pots in water and 

 see that the soil is moist ; also be sure to provide sufficient 

 crocks or other drainage material. When filled, stack them in 

 a cool shady place, where they will be safe from the direct rays 

 of the sun and also from rain ; a few wet sacks thrown over 

 them will help to keep the moisture in the soil. 



Strong well-rooted runners of a good forcing variety should 

 be lifted at the end of July and potted in 32's, either one or 

 two to a pot ; or they may be layered in small 60's, and after 

 becoming well rooted, potted singly in 32's. When the runners 

 are to be rooted directly into the small pots these should be 

 sunk in the ground up to the rim, and so disposed as to leave a 



Two Methods of Layering 



Runner Layered into Strawberry Runners. Runner Layered, into 



a 60's Pot. the Ground. 



clear path between every two rows foi convenience in giving 

 water, which matter which must on no account be neglected. 

 Do not take more runners from one plant than is absolutely 

 necessary, and when possible confine these to one on a stalk, 

 that nearest the parent plant being usually the best. Examine 

 each runner before layering it to see that it contains a centre 



