378 STRAWBERRY. 



in small pets may be shifted into larger, and put 

 away in a proper shady place till they are wanted 

 to go into the forcing house, strawberry pit, or hot- 

 bed. 



Mr. Nettleship of Twickenham was formerly the 

 most extensive and most successful grower of straw- 

 berries, which he forced for the supply of the London 

 fruiterers. For this sole purpose, he had long 

 ranges of houses, built at a great expense, but which 

 he made answer. The writer has often observed in 

 Mr. Nettleship's practice, that if he run short of 

 potted plants, he would pot old stools, which went into 

 the house at once. 



Strawberries, whether in the open air or forced, 

 require constant refreshments of water, and on no 

 account should be allowed to get dry, from the time 

 they show flower till the fruit are ripe. And as 

 these last are very liable to be rendered unfit for 

 table, from earth being dashed upon them by heavy 

 rain, many schemes have been executed with the 

 view of keeping them clean. Some of these have 

 been already alluded to ; but others may just be 

 noticed : — one plan is to lay slates or plain tiles 

 along both sides of the rows of plants, on which the 

 fruit lie and ripen ; this not only keeps the fruit 

 clean, but expedites their ripening, and improves 

 their flavour. Some people of fortune, who are par- 

 ticular in their fruit, have their strawberry beds 

 formed of brickwork, in the form of a ridge of 

 graduated steps, on which interstices are left for the 



