158 Forcing Strawberries. 



summer growth. The embrj'o, the latent vigor, must have been accumu- 

 lated and stored up by previous treatment. To a great degree, we must 

 make the winter-process the unfolding and developing of that which has 

 been garnered during the summer. In some bulbs a sufficiency of 

 nutrition is stored up, so that nothing more than heat and moisture is 

 wanting for their perfect development. And with other plants this is true 

 to a degree not generally realized. A strong and healthy plant can be 

 forced and give a good crop under very unfavorable circumstances, though it 

 perish in the effort. Contrariwise, a weak plant cannot be made to give a 

 good crop under the best treatment ; yet it may thereby recover its strength. 

 It is of prime importance to recognize and act upon this foundation-rule, 

 and be thankful for the wise economy of Nature, which enables us, during 

 the liberal warmth and sunlight of summer, to store up strength from which 

 we can freely draw during the short, cold days of winter. It is because 

 this law has been disregarded that so many disappointments have resulted 

 in forcing the strawberry. 



It is absolutely essential to a large and satisfactory crop that the fruit be 

 all in embryo in November. In order to this, we must have large and fat 

 crowns, full almost to bursting, yet firm and solid with well-ripened sap. 

 Of course, this involves health and strength of root, — a vigor of constitution 

 in the plant which is secured only by the best previous culture. 



Unquestionably the best way to obtain strong plants is by layering the 

 first runners into thumb-pots early in July. Doubtless the first rooted 

 young plants may be taken off and potted, and placed at once in a close 

 frame, and an early and good start be thus obtained with less trouble than 

 by pots in the field. Yet the latter is the sure way to get an early and vig- 

 orous start. Early cuttings placed upon a gentle bottom-heat would secure 

 the same result. This first step in the process deserves special care. If 

 not well and successfully done in good season, abandon the attempt before 

 more time is wasted and disappointment follows. 



In ordinary seasons, the young plants should be well established by the 

 first of August. The soil for potting should be a strong pasture-loam, the 

 sod being well rotted with an addition of one-third of stable-manure. If 

 this material were previously composted for two or three months, the ma- 

 nure being then fresh, a better mixture would be obtained. 



