178 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



plants. It may then be transferred to the potting bench as required. If there 

 still remain pieces of turf larger than a pigeon's egg, they should be pulled 

 into smaller pieces by the hand before being used. 



Potting thk Runners. — The most suitable pot in which the runners 

 can be potted is 6 inches in diameter at the top. There are certain varieties 

 grown for very early forcing that, however, do not grow vigorously even when 

 cultivated in the open, and therefore much less so when forced early. They 

 may with advantage be placed in pots of 4^ inches diameter (ordinarily called 

 48's), for fewer roots will be made. We have tried the practice of using 

 8-inch pots, the size larger than the 6-inch, for some varieties of vigorous 

 growth, but the results did not justify our repeating it. The pot made use 

 of by those who grow strawberries for market in many thousands is the 

 6-inch one, and there is no doubt that it is the best. 



An insufficiency of drainage, or drainage carelessly disposed, will 

 deleteriously alFect the health of the plant. The soil becomes more or 

 less soddened and sour, because the water given does not pass away freely. 

 First place a crock over the hole in the bottom of the pot, large enough 

 to extend for quite half an inch beyond the hole all around. Over 

 the single large crock place smaller ones to the depth of about half an 

 inch. The base of the pot must be well covered, and they must not be 

 tumbled in together haphazard, or, at any rate, the first few must not, or 

 they will probably displace the one that covers the opening. Then select 

 the roughest pieces of turf and place them immediately over the drainage. 

 This will prevent any of the fine soil falling into, and perhaps choking it. 

 Remove the rooted strawberry runner from its small pot. There should be so 

 much material in the bottom of the 6-inch pot that when the small plant is 

 placed therein the surface soil of the latter reaches to within about an inch of 

 the rim of the former. Dislodge the drainage from the small plant, if this can 

 be done without disturbing the roots, but if the roots have completely covered 

 the crocks let these remain. With the prepared compost fill the space all 

 round, taking care not to place too much in at once, and make it firm with a 

 wooden rammer as the work proceeds. Continue until the surface roots of the 

 plant have been covered with half an inch of soil. Firm potting is essential. 

 The only time that the wooden rammer should be used lightly is in making the 

 soil firm immediately above the roots. Care is then necessary, or the roots 

 may be damaged. With regard to the depth at which the rooted runner should 

 be inserted, the remarks made on this point when treating of layering are 

 applicable. Place it so deeply that while the plant is quite covered, the heart, 

 i.e. the centre whence spring the young leaves, is not. 



Treatment when Potted. — The newly potted plants should be placed 

 for a week or ten days in a shady position, so that the roots may get hold of the 

 new soil as quickly as possible. This they are more likely to do in the shade 

 than if the hot sun were shining upon them. Providing the runners were 

 thoroughly well watered the day before being potted, they will not require to 

 be watered for a few days ; they should, however, be well syringed every 

 afternoon. 



