244 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



greater part of the fruit are colouring, they should not 

 have more water than is just enough to keep the plants 

 from drooping. The flavour is thus improved, 



INSECTS TO WHICH THEY ARE SUBJECT. 



Green-fly and red-spider are very apt to attack straw- 

 berry-plants when subject to fire-heat, especially in 

 April and May; and to prevent red-spider gaining 

 a footing, they require to be well syringed every fine 

 afternoon after the fruit are set. And to the same 

 end all checks for want of sufficient water must be 

 guarded against. Green-fly is easily prevented and got 

 rid of by fumigating with tobacco, but it must never be 

 done when they are in bloom. It is a good plan always 

 to smoke before the blooms open. One of the most 

 forcible reasons against growing them in peach-houses 

 and vineries, especially in the later part of the season, 

 is the frequency with which they breed red-spider, 

 which soon extends to the peaches and vines. Many 

 gardeners are, however, obliged to adhere to the practice, 

 on account of the numbers of plants that have now to 

 be reared under glass, and for want of a strawberry pit 

 or house. That good strawberries are produced thus 

 is beyond a question ; but to ripen strawberries on the 

 top shelves of vineries, the vines must not be allowed 

 to run up right to the top of the house on account of the 

 amount of shade which they throw over the straw- 

 berries, and under the influence of which they do not 

 thrive. So that in all cases where a division of glass 

 can be devoted to strawberries, it is much to be 

 preferred. 



