THE STRAWBERRY. 237 



a man's thumb, the footstalks of the leaves strong and 

 short, supporting broad dark-green leathery leaves — 

 sure criterions of the plants being in the best possible 

 condition for forcing the following spring. 



Should the weather be very wet in October, I would 

 recommend that they be placed in cold frames, where 

 they can be protected by glass from continuous rains, 

 and fully exposed when the weather is fine. "When 

 this cannot be done, lay the plants down on their sides 

 rather than expose them to continuous rains. By the 

 end of October the plants will have completed their 

 season's growth, and the object in regard to them now 

 is to rest them, and protect them in a cool state from 

 heavy rains and hard frost. Where cold frames covered 

 with glass can be spared for them, perhaps they are best 

 stored in them, having the pots plunged in ashes, half- 

 decayed leaves, or sawdust. They should have plenty 

 of air on all favourable opportunities ; and during severe 

 frost a single mat or a little dry straw thrown over the 

 glass is protection sufficient. When cold frames, or any 

 cool place under glass could not be spared, I have kept 

 them perfectly safe by building them into ridges, laying 

 one row on their' sides above the other, and packing 

 between and round the pots with ashes or sawdust. In 

 this way they escape rains, and are preserved from 

 getting dry or excited, and in times of severe frosts 

 are easily happed with mats of straw, easily uncovered 

 in fine weather, and as easily got at when required for 

 forcing. 



