,88 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



sluggish ruot action feeding is of little avail, and is even hurtful, for the nutri- 

 ment has to be carried up through the roots to the foliage, and from the foliage 

 to the fruit. If the plants have been carried through the Winter in full health, 

 they are ready to respond when called upon, and will begin to grow vigorously 

 in a short time. Toward Fall, when the crowns are fully developed, less water 

 will be needed, but the foliage must not be allowed to wilt. 



Nature must also be allowed to do her share of the work, never forgetting 

 the natural habits and requirements of our plants. Frost is essential to a good 

 berry crop. I have known extra early batches to be started without any frost, 

 drying the plants off enough to ripen and arrest growth, but this treatment is 

 not a satisfactory one, and the crop will hardly repay the labor spent upon it. 

 The plants will stand ten degrees of frost with benefit, if the foliage is protected 

 against the sun's rays, and the pots against damage by the cold. Where cold- 

 frames are available, the pots can be plunged into them in a bed of coal ashes. 

 During severe freezing cover with the sash and provide other protection, as 

 necessary. The burying of the pots not only avoids a possible breakage by the 

 frost, but the moist ashes around them keep the roots in a comfortable condi- 

 tion. When Strawberries can be carried through their dormant period with- 

 out watering, the roots will be much healthier. If they are stored in a dry 

 atmosphere, watering will probably be necessary, for it is not well to let them 

 get o\er dry, even when dormant. If there is no coldframe at hand, they may 

 be plunged into the ground outside until they have had eight to ten degrees of 

 frost. They should be screened in some way, so that the sun will not shine 

 directly on the foliage when in a frozen state. After they have had their allow- 

 ance of frost, they may be stored in a coldhouse — a late grapery, for instance; 

 but the pots should still be plunged either into ashes or moist sand, for the bene- 

 fit accruing to the plant when the roots are kept in a moist, even condition is 

 really surprising. Strawberries prepared for forcmg in this way should be in 

 excellent condition and respond readily to further treatment. But all the de- 

 tails I lia\c enumerated are necessary for a good crop of high grade fruit. 



INSECTS— FUNGUS 



Insects are not, as a rule, very troublesome. Red spider is one of the worst 

 enemies, if allowed to spread; but it can be kept down easily with systematic 

 spraying of the foliage every bright day until the plants begin to bloom, and 

 again after the fruit is set. Care should also be exercised in airing and water- 

 ing, for if Strawberries are in any way checked, they fall an easy prey to red 

 spider. Green fly causes trouble at times, especially during a long, cloudy spell. 

 Fumigation is here the only remedy and as a safeguard it may be well to resort 

 to it just before the plants come into bloom. An attack by green fly at the 

 flowering stage is a serious misfortune, for that is a period when fumigation is 

 not advisable. 



Fungus is more troublesome in some sections of the country than in others. 

 The fungus most to be dreaded is that commonly known as leaf spot. It attacks 

 the foliage, and will work havoc if not checked, weakening the constitution of 



