$46 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



and hardened off preparatory to their being planted out 

 for bearing otitdoor crops, which they produce in first- 

 rate style the following summer, and sometimes a few 

 that same autumn. 



PACKING EIPE STEAWBERKIES FOK CAREYING. 



In those days of steam and express trains, it not 

 unfrequently happens that forced strawberries have to 

 be sent hundreds of miles to the dessert-table, and 

 much of their safe and successful transit depends on the 

 manner in which they are packed. I have been in the 

 habit of sending them from Scotland to London three 

 times weekly, and by the following method of packing 

 they have been received without a bruise : They were 

 packed in square boxes 4 inches deep, divided into four 

 compartments. In the bottom of each division was 

 placed a layer of fine paper- shavings, then a layer of 

 wadding, and over the wadding a sheet of soft, pliable 

 tissue-paper, all firmly pressed down, the one upon the 

 other. On this foundation, with a soft, fresh straw- 

 berry-leaf beneath and between each fruit, the straw- 

 berries were laid. Over them were placed soft, young 

 vine-leaves, then a sheet of tissue-paper, and then 

 wadding and paper-shavings enough to fill the box as 

 firmly without bruising the fruit as possible, as their 

 safe carriage depends on their being packed sufficiently 

 close and firm to prevent their moving when the box is 

 moved. This is what may be considered an extra care- 

 ful way of packing. Generally they are packed in 

 round or square boxes or baskets, with just leaves below 

 and above them ; and with ordinary usage they carry 

 -very well. But fruits sent by rail are often roughly 



