Strawberries. 333 



unless the weather gets very severe, when they may have an 

 additional covering of mats. In this case the lights should 

 never be closed down entirely except in hard frost. Where 

 no frames are available it is a good plan to stand the pots close 

 together, plunged up to the rim in ashes, the ashes being kept 

 in place by boards on edge round the outer margin of the mass. 

 In many places the pots are simply laid on their sides and 

 stacked on the top of each other, with a covering of straw over 

 the top layer ; they do very well in this way except that the 

 soil is apt to become too dry and each pot needs soaking in 

 water before being taken in for forcing. 



The first hot-beds for forcing are made, 2ft. thick, at the end 

 of January, according to the directions given on pages 128-130. 

 When the heat has fallen to 50 degrees put on the frames, put 

 fine soil inside, 2in. deep, and stand the pots on this, close 

 together, packing soil round them until they are all immersed 

 in it up to the rims. Give no water until growth begins, and 

 then very moderately, increasing gradually as growth becomes 

 stronger. Plenty of air should be given whenever the weather 

 will permit. Dew over the plants with water through a fine 

 rose every bright day until the bloom begins to open, when it 

 must stop for a time until the fruit is " set." In order that the 

 pollen of the flowers may be readily scattered, and so ensure 

 proper fertilization, the atmosphere inside the frame must be 

 kept as dry as possible during the blooming period, dampness 

 in the atmosphere being very detrimental to a good " set " of 

 fruit. During the same period, whilst avoiding cold draughts, 

 as much air must be given as the state of the weather will 

 permit, and the flowers must be lightly brushed over daily, 

 about mid-day, with a rabbit's tail. 



During this time watering at the roots must not oe neglected, 

 but it must be done carefully, avoiding wetting the foliage. 

 As soon as a sufficient number of fruits are seen to be set, 

 which will be in ten or twelve days after the first flowers open, 

 dewing over daily must be resumed, the atmosphere of the 

 frame now requiring to be kept moist to assist the swelling of 

 the fruit. The soil must never be allowed to become dry at 

 this period, and liquid manure should now be used alternately 

 with clear water. Give a little air during the day but close 



