THE STKAAVBERBY. 267 



When the Strawberry plants have been shifted from 

 the pots in which they were 'layered into the four-inch 

 size, they should be set in the open sunshine, standing 

 the pots close together, and carefully watered as occasion 

 requires, so as to induce the best possible growth. All 

 runners should be carefully pinched off as they appear, 

 so that the whole force of the roots may go to develop 

 the main plant, or fruiting crown, as it is sometimes 

 called. In four or five weeks the four-inch pots will be 



Tig. 89. STRAWBERRY FORCING HOUSE. 



filled with roots, and the plants must again be shifted into 

 six-inch pots and treated as before, which will give, by 

 the middle of October, the necessary strong plants for 

 forcing. As the season of growth stops about this date, 

 water should be withheld to some extent, so that the 

 plants may get a season of rest. 



When they are placed in the forcing-house they may 

 either be planted out on the benches at six or eight inches 

 apart, in soil five or six inches deep, or they may be 

 forced in the pots, as may be desired ; but, in any case, 

 twice as many plants should be prepared as will fill the 



