14 STRAWBERRIES 
As soon as the first bud on the runners shows signs 
of forming a plant, prepare a sufficient number of sixty- 
sized pots, by placing one good crock over the drainage 
hole, adding a little rough soil, and filling firmly to 
within half-an-inch of the rim with good sound loam in 
moderately fine condition. ‘The soil should be moist but 
not wet. Group the pots, as far as this is possible, be- 
tween two rows of stock plants (to economise labour in 
watering), and peg one runner into each pot by means 
of a carnation or verbena peg, or by a small peg such as 
can be cut from the twigs of a stubby birch broom. 
The peg must not be forced down so as to injure the 
connection between plantlet and parent, but be so placed 
that it keeps the base of the plantlet firmly in the soil, 
enabling it to take root readily. If there is no fear of 
its being moved, a small stone will be sufficient to keep 
the runner in position, but pegging is the better and 
less risky practice. As layering is completed give a 
good watering, and subsequently see that no check is 
administered through lack of moisture. When the 
layered or pegged plantlet pushes forth another runner 
as a sort of continuation of the runner-stem, this must 
be pinched off. 
Another method is quite frequently practised in some 
districts, and consists of pegging the runner to the centre 
of a piece of new turf. Where good close turf is readily 
obtainable this method is a good one, provided the 
runners are severed from the parent early and planting 
is also done early; but if this is neglected the roots pass 
through the turf, enter the soil beneath, and so have 
to be broken at planting time. Cut the turf into three- 
inch cubes, and place these in groups (grass side down) 
as advised for the pots. 
An altogether easier plan and one that is largely prac- 
tised by market-growers, especially those in the famous 
Botley district of Hampshire, is to simply loosen the 
nial 3 
