3o8 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



Figs. — Where early figs are required, a place should he 

 got in readiness, where those in pots can he started after the 

 middle of the month. Bottom-heat is of great advantage 

 thus early : it obviates the necessity of much artificial heat 

 for a while at first if a bed of oak-leaves can be made up, in 

 which the pots can be plunged in a bottom-heat of about 75°, 

 with a night temperature of 50° to begin with. They not 

 only break more freely and strongly into growth, but young 

 fruit formed in autumn are not so likely to drop off as when 

 forcing is commenced without bottom-heat. Syringe the 

 plants on fine days, and just give fire-heat enough tiU they 

 break to keep the temperature at 50° ; and when water at 

 the roots is required, let it be given at a temperature of 80°. 

 If the plants have been grown several years in the same pot, 

 top-dress them with something rich, and water with guano 

 or sheep-dung water. 



Cucumbers. — Avoid hard forcing in very cold sunless 

 weather, or the leaves wUl become thin, and the whole 

 plants weakened. "When the weather is severe, it is very 

 desirable to cover the surface of the glass, and fire more 

 moderately. 



Strawberries in Pots. — Put a quantity of these into heat, 

 according to the number of plants and available room. The 

 early peach-house, or a shelf near the glass, is a good place 

 to start them, as they do not do weU. with much heat thus 

 early. If they can be set on a fermenting bed of leaves in 

 a pit near the glass, it will be a great advantage to them. 

 The mild bottom-heat will start them more kindly. Before 

 putting them in heat, remove all decayed leaves, turn every 

 plant out of its pot to see that the drainage is not deranged, 

 and water them with clear lime-water to kill all worms, 

 which, if not got rid of, will begin their injurious work im- 

 mediately they are put into heat. 



