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PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO QABDEN PLANTS stbawbebky 



varieties are raised from seeds. The 

 latter are saved froni the choicest 

 varieties, the flowers of vfhich have as a 

 rule been fertilised vi'ith pollen from 

 equally fine varieties having some distinct 

 and desirable peculiarity not present in 

 the others. The seeds may be sown as 

 soon as ripe or in spring, in prepared beds 

 of light loamy soil in warm parts of the 

 garden, but where hotbeds and cold 

 frames exist it is better to sow under their 

 protection either in small beds or in boxes 

 or pans &c. The young plants will re- 

 quire pricking out and transplanting in 

 due course, but will not bear fruit properly 

 for two or three seasons. 



What are known as Alpine Straw- 

 berries are usually raised from seeds 

 sown in spring every year in the way 

 mentioned. When brought on in gentle 

 heat, the plants are transferred to the 

 open groimd in favourable weather about 

 the end of May. After the second season 

 they are practically useless and may be 

 thrown away, the stock in the meantime 

 being kept up by the annual sowing of 

 seeds. The ' Perpetual' Strawberries re- 

 ferred to below are varieties of the Alpine 

 Strawberry, and are now receiving much 

 attention from good growers. 



General Cultivation. — Except when 

 new plants are required all runners should 

 be cut off as soon as they appear, as they 

 weaken the main plant. The soil near 

 rows of Strawberries should never be dug, 

 as the roots would not only be much 

 injured by the process, but, as stated 

 above, they like the soil around them to 

 be very firm. When growth has well 

 started in spring, a mulching of well- 

 rotted manure or the remains of old 

 mushroom beds may be given. Over this 

 mulching, which is very valuable in hot 

 seasons, a covering of clean straw or litter 

 may be placed as the flower-buds are 

 about to open. This will keep the fruits 

 clean while ripening, and prevent mud- 

 splashes by heavy rains. Weeds also 

 are prevented from growing by this 

 means. 



Plants two to three years old produce 

 the best and heaviest crops of fruit, and 

 after the third, or not later than the 

 fourth year, they should be thrown away. 

 In the meantime in another part of th^ 

 garden a new Strawberry bed of young 

 plants should have been arranged. Four 

 years is quite long enough to grow Straw- 

 berries on the same piece of ground, even 



withjjlenty of manure. (See Rotation of 

 Crops, p. 1104.) 



Strawberries in Pots. — ■ Where cold 

 frames and hotbeds exist, Strawberries 

 may be obtained in firuit earlier under 

 these structures than in the open air. 

 Having obtained new strong well-rooted 

 plants by layering as described above, 

 they should be placed in well-drained 

 pots 5-6 in. across, and usually in a 

 rich fibrous loam. The soil should be 

 very firmly packed round the roots, and 

 thoroughly soaked afterwards. For a 

 few days, until the plants have recovered 

 from the disturbance, they should be 

 stood in a shaded spot, but afterwards 

 they cannot have too much sun and air 

 to develop and ripen their growth. The 

 greatest attention must be given to 

 watering, taking care that the plants 

 never become very dry or the young roots 

 will be shrivelled up. On the approach 

 of cold frosty weather the plants may be 

 removed to the cold frames ; plunge the 

 pots up to the rims in ashes or soil. They 

 should be quite near the glassy and 

 always have as much light and air as 

 possible, except on very cold days, when 

 the lights are best kept closed. At 

 any convenient time after December 1 

 the plants may be removed to the forcing 

 house where they are to ripen. A 

 temperature of 45°-50° F. during the day 

 will suit the plants perfectly at first. 

 Watering and ventilation should always 

 be carefully attended to, and a syringing 

 under and over the fohage will be very 

 beneficial and cheek the attacks of Red 

 Spider. As the flower trusses begin to 

 show, the temperature may be increased 

 to about 55°, and syringing should be dis- 

 continued after the blooms open, although 

 the atmosphere may be kept in a fairly 

 moist condition by watering the soil, 

 boards, or shelves around the plants. 

 Care, however, must be taJten that on 

 cold or duU wet days too much moisture 

 does not exist, as at this season Straw- 

 berries are very hable to be attacked by 

 mildew, which completely spoils the ap- 

 pearance of the fruits. When the fruits 

 have set well, only the finest should be 

 retained for ripening, all the small and 

 worthless ones being removed from each 

 truss. To assist the plants at this stage, 

 a little liquid manure may be given two 

 or three times a week, until the fruits 

 begin to colour. Then pure water is best, 

 and the plants should be placed in a drier 



