286 Forcing Strawberries. 



A friend suggests the removal of all outward blossoms, and a general 

 thinning of those that remain. For the first time in many years of equal 

 promise, the fruit set ; and in the autumn a fair crop was gathered, includ- 

 ing specimens of nearly a pound weight. 



From these statements, we may reasonably suppose that an over-abundant 

 bloom absorbs and checks the flow of sap, which would otherwise be 

 directed to the formation of leaf and wood growth ; and, as all fruit pro- 

 duction is greatly dependent upon a healthy action of the leaves, it is not 

 improbable that some of the disappointments experienced with the Duchesse 

 may emanate from this cause. George Lincoln. 



HiNGHAM, Mass. 



FORCING STRAWBERRIES. 



(Continued.) 



It is the impression of some, that the long, dormant period of winter is, 

 to a considerable degree, waste time in the vegetable kingdom, yet to be en- 

 dured on the principle that we allow time to a setting-hen, — because a hen's 

 time is not of prime importance. It is said that when a plant is frozen 

 solid, root and branch, it is in a state of perfect inactivity ; and therefore it 

 is immaterial to the plant whether it remain in this condition a day, or a 

 month, or three months. Yet it can never be strictly true that a plant is per- 

 fectly inactive : some processes of hardening and strengthening are still going 

 on when the plant is seemingly at rest. If we attempt to shorten this period 

 of rest beyond a limit, we shall find the plant will itself speak in dissent 

 from our wise theories. But, though we cannot disregard the law of rest 

 and the element of time, we can, to a considerable degree, hasten the one 

 (if we may so speak), and shorten the other. In the strawberry we want 

 the plump, matured, hardened crown, which is gained by slight freezing 

 and quiet rest through the month of December. If the pots are packed 

 with leaves in a cold frame, and also slightly covered with leaves, a moder- 

 ate and steady degree of cold may be obtained. The first lot for forcing 

 may be brought in about the first of January, and earlier if absolutely re- 



