GREENHOUSES FOR FORCING VEGETABLES. 83 



that the night temperature will average, perhaps, forty 

 degrees for the first two weeks in May and fifty degrees 

 for the last weeks, while for the first two weeks in June 

 it will be about sixty degrees at night, and in all cases 

 from ten to fifteen degrees higher in the day. This, 

 then, is our rule for the forcing-houses : Start slowly, 

 increasing the temperature as the plant develops and 

 ripens its fruit, just as nature does in the field. 



Like Cucumbers, artificial impregnation is necessary 

 for the Strawberry in the dull winter months. This is 

 best done by using a camel's hair pencil, twirling it from 

 one flower to another particularly from the staminate to 

 the pistillate flowers on clear days if possible, and allow- 

 ing all possible ventilation. Sometimes hives of bees are 

 kept in Strawberry and Cucumber forcing-houses, to 

 assist in the impregnation. 



Some judgment is necessary in watering until there 

 are indications of vigorous growth. Water at the roots 

 sparingly ; at the same time, do not allow the soil to get 

 too dry, and be careful not to water the plants overhead 

 when in bloom, as that will destroy the impregnation. 

 When the fruit has "set," give water freely whenever 

 necessary, and throughout the whole season of growth 

 keep the atmosphere of the house well charged with 

 moisture, in order to keep down the Eed Spider, the in- 

 sect which is quickly destructive to 'both Strawberries 

 and Cucumbers. 



The kinds of Strawberries which seem to have been the 

 favorites for forcing are the Champion, a rather dark 

 crimson berry of great beauty and of the largest size, 

 with occasional trials of Jersey Queen, on account of the 

 great size and beauty of the fruit. But the new variety, 

 raised by Mr. Seymour, of Norwalk, Conn., and named 

 in our honor, " The Henderson," from trials made with 

 it, is likely to prove the most valuable variety for forcing 

 purposes. It has what are known as "perfect flowers, "and 



