CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 



459 



after having severed the rooted runners from the parent plants, in order 

 to have plants that can be forced to bear fruit by the following April, 

 transfer the former to larger pots those 6 inches in diameter are the 

 most suitable. If the runners were layered towards the end of June, by 

 the first week of August they will be sufficiently well rooted to remove. 

 The nature of the soil in which they are now potted is of great im- 

 portance, for it has to support them for about nine months. Nothing 

 is better than rough, turfy soil, with which a little guano, or manure 

 from an old-mushroom bed, and some small pieces of lime or brick 

 rubble are well mixed. The latter help to keep the soil sweet and 

 wholesome, while the guano stimulates and supports the plants. Place 



FIG. 54. Showing the runners when layered into small pots. 



several crocks over the base of each 6-inch pot for drainage, so that 

 the water given to the plant may pass away freely. Unless proper 

 drainage is provided, satisfactory results cannot be obtained. Over 

 the crocks place a few rough pieces of turf to prevent the smaller 

 particles of soil from falling into them, and thus stopping free drainage. 

 Then fill in as much of the prepared soil as will raise the uppermost 

 roots of the runner within about an inch and a half of the rim of the 

 6-inch pot and place the runner upon it. Holding the small plant 

 firmly with the left hand, with the right hand fill the surrounding 

 space between it and the side of the pot with the prepared compost. 

 Make this quite firm with a wooden rammer. The latter should be 

 9 or 10 inches long, an inch or so in diameter, and made round; 

 the base, however, is quite flat. As soon as the space around the 

 small plant has been filled in, add sufficient soil, made firm, to fill the 



