298 FORCING STRAWBERRIES 



be very beneficial to assist occasionally in cold 

 weather, and more particularly when the heat 

 of the bed becomes low ; then it would prove 

 of great advantage to the plants; these beds 

 may be made any time, from the middle or end 

 of January, till about the middle of March, and 

 when the bark is of a proper moderate heat, 

 plunge the pots therein ; by this practice good 

 crops of early strawberries will be produced. 



Dung hotbeds for forcing strawberries may be 

 made also from the end of January, in February, 

 or March, in the same manner as is usual for 

 making hotbeds of stable dung; set on the 

 frames and lights, and when the bed is of a 

 moderate heat, bring in the earth, and cover 

 the bed about six or seven inches deep, in which 

 to plunge the pots; or if not in pots, to plant 

 the plants in, which should be taken if possible 

 immediately from the nursery bed to that of the 

 hotbed, with as much ball about the roots as can 

 be preserved; after the bed is planted, and a 

 moderate watering given to the plants, put on 

 the glasses, and give vent to the steam arising 

 from the bed, then cover the glasses every night 



