288 Forcing Strawberries. 



suitable for strawberry-forcing. If the house were divided by a walk in the 

 centre, with a front table three and a half feet wide and a back stage of 

 four and a half feet, the plants would all be brought sufficiently near to the 

 glass, and good results might be expected. Another method of construc- 

 tion has been suggested which has decided advantages. It is this : To in- 

 crease the pitch of the roof to about forty-five degrees, and then devote the 

 entire space of the house to a steep stage ; each step being sufficiently 

 wide for a row of plants, and rising so much, that the plants may be in- 

 spected and watered from the walk /;/ the rear and under the stage. By 

 this plan we have three decided advantages, ist. The utmost influence of 

 the sun will be felt through the sharp roof; 2d, The position of every 

 plant will be high, light, and airy, extremely favorable for warmth of root ; 

 3d, The whole space of glass will be occupied by plants, with no loss in 

 walk, which is under the stage. The main disadvantage is in the difl^iculty 

 of management of the upper rows of plants, which are not easily accessi- 

 ble. They may be watered by means of a curved pipe connected with a 

 force-pump, or they may be reached from the outside through the ventila- 

 tors. The advantages of this construction are manifest ; so, also, is the dis- 

 advantage. Position and circumstances will determine which is most 

 desirable. Oftentimes the fair appearance and the ease in management of 

 a house are more important than the greatest economy of room and the 

 largest possible results. W. C. Strong. 



